NATO Chief says, ‘Time to Shift to Wartime Mindset’ amid warnings over Putin’s threats

Rutte made these comments while speaking to security experts in Brussels at the Carnegie Europe think tank.

He called on Europeans to push their governments to increase defense spending and said it was time to adopt a "wartime mindset." Rutte emphasized the need to be prepared for future threats, including the possibility that Russia could use "swarms of drones" in Europe, as it has done in Ukraine.

“Putin is trying to crush our freedom and way of life,” Rutte said, highlighting Russia’s history of aggressive actions. These include the 2008 invasion of Georgia, the 2014 annexation of Crimea, and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Rutte warned that Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation, both with Ukraine and NATO allies.

The NATO chief's speech comes just two months after he took office. Since then, he has traveled to the capitals of NATO’s 32 member countries, including meeting with President-elect Donald Trump in the United States. NATO has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, providing weapons, ammunition, and other assistance. However, concerns have risen about whether NATO's support will continue, especially with Trump’s return and his desire to end the war quickly.

Rutte pointed out that Russia's military spending is expected to be around 7% to 8% of its GDP next year, far higher than any NATO country. Meanwhile, Russia's defense industry continues to produce tanks, armored vehicles, and ammunition at a rapid pace. Putin also has support from countries like China, Iran, and North Korea, which makes the situation even more dangerous.

While defense spending in Europe has increased, with 23 NATO members expected to meet the alliance's target of spending 2% of their GDP on defense, Rutte believes more is needed. "We need a lot more than 2%," he said, stressing that Europe must be better prepared for the future.

Rutte also pointed to a series of “hostile actions” by Russia against NATO countries, including cyber attacks, assassinations, and the use of migrants to destabilize Europe. He said these actions are part of a coordinated effort by Russia to destabilize societies and discourage support for Ukraine.

“These attacks are not isolated incidents,” Rutte said. “They are part of a larger plan to weaken us.” He also warned that while NATO’s defense strategy is strong for now, it is not enough for the long term. “Danger is moving towards us at full speed,” he said. “We are not ready for what is coming our way in the next four to five years.”

Rutte urged governments to give defense industries the long-term contracts and big orders they need to produce better military technology, especially to counter new tactics like drone warfare. He stressed that “freedom does not come for free,” and urged European leaders to act now to prevent a bigger war in the future.

“If we don’t invest more in defense now, we will pay a much higher price later,” Rutte warned. “Not billions, but trillions of euros. That’s if we win.” He added that the Euro-Atlantic area, which includes over one billion people, must come together to ensure future security.