NATO “Must Prepare for War,” Says Chief Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged member states to prepare for potential conflicts by increasing defense spending and strengthening military capabilities. According to Rutte, ensuring readiness is the best way to prevent war, particularly in light of Russia’s war against in Ukraine.

Speaking to Bild, Rutte emphasized that Europe must not show weakness, warning that otherwise, Russia could attempt actions similar to those in Ukraine. “I’ll tell you very clearly: We have to prepare for war. That is the best way to avoid war,” Rutte said. He also pointed to China as a growing security concern, noting its significant expansion of military capabilities.

Rutte specifically called on Germany to enhance its defense investments and production, stating that, given the size of its economy, Berlin should contribute more to NATO’s collective security efforts. While he acknowledged Germany’s role in supporting Ukraine, he stressed that further commitments were necessary.

Discussing NATO’s future defense spending targets, Rutte indicated that member states would be expected to allocate significantly more than the previously established 2% of GDP. He noted that over two-thirds of NATO countries have already surpassed this threshold, attributing the trend in part to US policy under President Donald Trump.

NATO allies are set to deliberate on new defense expenditure benchmarks in the coming months, ahead of the alliance’s summit in The Hague in June. Rutte suggested that the revised targets could be as high as 3% or 3.5% of GDP, underscoring the importance of fair burden-sharing among Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Addressing the possibility of negotiations, Rutte cautioned against underestimating the threat posed by Russia. “Let’s not be naive about Putin. You just have to look at what happened in Bucha. So if a peace agreement is reached, it must be sustainable. We must ensure that he can never, ever again conquer even one square kilometer of Ukraine,” he said.

Earlier, Hamburg’s State Command leader, Captain Kurt Leonards, warned that while half of Russia’s military production is used in Ukraine, the rest is being stockpiled for a potential attack on the Baltic states, Poland, or Moldova in the coming years.

He emphasized that Germany must prepare for war to prevent it, as its role has shifted from a frontline state to a key NATO logistics hub. Hamburg is set to host large-scale troop movements, with recent and upcoming military exercises testing readiness. Authorities are expanding crisis management, bolstering cyber defense, and mapping potential civilian shelters.