(VitalNews.org) – In a stark warning to NATO allies, Secretary General and NATO’s new chief, Mark Rutte, declared that it is time to shift to a “wartime mindset” and dramatically increase defense spending to counter the rising Russian threat.
As Putin’s forces continue to wage war in Ukraine, Rutte is calling for a return to Cold War-era military budgets to protect our freedoms and way of life.
Rutte emphasized that the current 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target for military budgets is simply not enough to face the challenges an increasingly aggressive and well-funded Russian war machine poses.
“It is time to shift to a wartime mindset, and turbocharge our defence production and defence spending,” Rutte cautioned. “Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation, with Ukraine and with us.”
Rutte’s warnings take on added urgency in light of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House.
Trump has threatened to withdraw U.S. support from NATO if member states do not meet their spending obligations—a move that could leave Europe dangerously exposed to Russian aggression.
While some may balk at Trump’s hardline stance, Rutte acknowledged the former president’s effectiveness in pushing allies to increase military budgets.
“Donald Trump was completely right when in his first term he forced us to spend more, he was successful, we are considerably spending more than before he became president, so in that sense he was totally right,” Rutte added.
Top NATO chief warns civilians need to start preparing for all-out war with Russiahttps://t.co/OhI1zxW5OR pic.twitter.com/upAcw3ajwH
— Mirror Politics (@MirrorPolitics) January 19, 2024
Furthermore, the NATO chief painted a chilling picture of Putin’s ambitions, warning that the Russian leader aims to “wipe Ukraine off the map” and may set his sights on other parts of Europe next.
Rutte cited Russia’s history of aggression, including attacks on Georgia, the annexation of Crimea, and ongoing cyber-attacks and assassination attempts against NATO allies.
To counter these threats, Rutte is calling for NATO members to return to Cold War-era defense spending levels of over 3% of GDP.
This starkly contrasts the current situation, where many allies, including Rutte’s own Netherlands, have yet to meet the 2% target.
The Secretary General stressed that this increased investment is crucial not just for military hardware but also to support the defense industry with large orders and long-term contracts.
While some may refuse at the cost of such dramatic increases in military spending, experts warned that the price of inaction could be far higher.
Reports suggested that the British army, for example, could last only six months in a full-scale war with Russia under current funding levels.
With Putin’s regime set to allocate a third of its state budget to defense by 2025 – the highest level since the Cold War – the West risks falling dangerously behind.
In addition, Rutte’s call to action presents a clear choice for NATO members: invest now in collective defense or risk leaving Americans vulnerable to Russian aggression.
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