NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: ‘Russia remains the most direct threat to Euro-Atlantic security’

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking ahead of the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels on Wednesday (20 May), warned that ‘Russia remains the most direct threat to Euro-Atlantic security’, citing its ongoing war in Ukraine and persistent hybrid threats including cyber attacks, sabotage and pressure on critical infrastructure. He stressed that NATO must accelerate delivery of agreed capabilities rather than debate further commitments.

Rutte also highlighted a shift within NATO, noting that Europe and Canada are taking greater responsibility for conventional defence, alongside a redistribution of command roles.

He also warned that China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are increasingly working in closer coordination, prompting NATO to strengthen engagement with Indo-Pacific partners including Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

NATO Foreign Ministers will meet in Helsingborg on 21–22 May to finalise preparations for the Ankara Summit. At the Summit in The Hague last year, Allies committed to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

ℹ️ NATO