Die Nato muss zu einer „Kriegsmentalität“ übergehen, warnt der Generalsekretär

The NATO secretary general said Moscow is “preparing for long-term confrontation with Ukraine and us”, describing the current security situation as the worst in his lifetime.

“We are not ready for what is coming our way in four to five years”

His comments come weeks before president-elect Trump takes office, having previously suggested the US would not protect Nato allies failing to spend enough on defence. Nato members have pledged to spend at least 2% of the value of their economies – measured by GDP – on defence per year by 2024.

Back in 2018, then President Trump famously threatened the US would “go our own way” if other Nato members – essentially in Europe – did not spend more on their own militaries. Now Trump is poised to return to the White House and Rutte wants to keep the US committed to Nato and European defence.

He added Russia’s economy was “on a war footing”, with its defence spend by 2025 set to be “a third of Russia’s state budget – the highest since the Cold War”. Russia has significantly increased defence spending since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with record levels approved for 2025

“I’m pleading directly to one billion people living in Nato territory, particularly in Canada and Europe, to help me. Call your politicians, tell them yes it is difficult, it means somewhat less spending on other items, but that you want them to prioritise defence because this is long-term crucial.”

“My plea here is if you have children, grandchildren, if you think our way of life should be preserved, the democracy, our values, then we have to prioritise defence. And if we don’t, in four or five years we are in real difficulty.”

Abridged (shortened) article [https://bsky.app/profile/johnhatchard.bsky.social/post/3ld7lqz2xes2n](https://bsky.app/profile/johnhatchard.bsky.social/post/3ld7lqz2xes2n)

At the very least, Canadians should understand that if they start to get bullied by Russia and China in the Arctic, Trump is not going to help.

I think there are cool benefits that could come from massive investments in defence infrastructure. Especially industrial.