Category
Latest news

NATO Must Become “More Lethal” to Counter Russia’s Threat, NATO Official Says

3 min read
Authors
Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
Author
NATO Must Become “More Lethal” to Counter Russia’s Threat, NATO Official Says
A NATO military force stands guard ahead of the two-day NATO summit at the World Forum in The Hague, on June 22, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Speaking ahead of this week’s NATO summit in The Hague, a NATO official emphasized the urgency of bolstering the alliance’s capabilities in the face of growing security threats, particularly from Russia and its allies, the UNITED24 Media correspondent reported on June 23.

“This week’s Summit of NATO Heads of State and Governments comes at a critical moment for our history and for our shared, Euro-Atlantic security,” the official said.

He warned that NATO now faces a “dynamic and contested security environment,” as Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine continues with broader implications for the Alliance’s eastern flank. “Russia’s direct threat to this Alliance is a real concern,” he said.

“Moscow’s economy is on a war footing,” NATO official said. “Their forces are re-arming and re-constituting, with reports warning that the Kremlin could be in a position to threaten Allies within a few years.”

He highlighted deepening ties between Russia and authoritarian states, including North Korea, Iran, and China. “The technological exchange between Russia and the DPRK is particularly worrying,” he noted, adding that “China is a strategic competitor… and a decisive enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine.”

“This increases the threat Russia poses to its neighbors and to Euro-Atlantic security.”

The official also pointed to rising hybrid warfare risks, including cyberattacks, sabotage of critical infrastructure, and disinformation campaigns designed to destabilize Western societies.

“We continue to see risks from hybrid activities… The gravity of the situation is clear,” he warned.

In addition, the official outlined three key decisions expected at this week’s summit, all aimed at making NATO a “stronger, fairer and more lethal Alliance.”

  1. A New Defense Investment Plan
    NATO leaders are expected to adopt a plan that significantly increases investment not only in military capabilities but also in critical infrastructure, defense industry, and societal resilience. The framework builds on capability targets approved earlier in June by NATO defense ministers in Brussels.

  2. Boosting Defense Production and Innovation
    The official said the Alliance will also move to accelerate defense manufacturing and fast-track the adoption of emerging technologies to stay ahead of threats.

  3. Enduring Support for Ukraine
    The summit will reaffirm NATO’s commitment to long-term military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. “We expect our Summit… to reaffirm NATO’s support to the ongoing US-led diplomatic efforts towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, as well as to long-term support to Ukraine, to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself today and to deter any future aggression,” Rutte stated.

Earlier, reports emerged that New Zealand will provide a new assistance package worth 16 million New Zealand dollars (approximately $9.4 million) to Ukraine, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced, ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague.

See all