NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday (December 11) urged allies to step up defence efforts to prevent a war waged by Russia, that could be "on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured".

In a speech in Berlin, Rutte said too many allies of the military alliance did not feel the urgency of Russia's threat in Europe and that they must rapidly increase defence spending and production to prevent a war on the scale of that seen by past generations.

"We are Russia's next target," Rutte said. "I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don't feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now." Rutte added conflict was at Europe's door. "Russia has brought war back to Europe. And we must be prepared."

Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years, Rutte said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE AND GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOHANN WADEPHUL GIVE SPEECHES AT AN EVENT OF THE MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 11, 2025) (MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE - Access all)

1. GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOHANN WADEPHUL WALKING ONTO STAGE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOHANN WADEPHUL, SAYING:

"More allies, more allies in Europe need to urgently step up. We are grateful for the United States efforts in pursuing a lasting peace in Ukraine. Relevant progress has been made with crucial Ukrainian and European involvement"

3. WADEPHUL LEAVING STAGE AND SHAKING HANDS WITH NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE WHO WALKS ONTO STAGE

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE, SAYING:

"We are Russia's next target. And we are already in harm's way. When I became NATO Secretary General last year, I warned that what is happening in Ukraine could happen to allied countries too. That we have to shift to a wartime mindset."

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE, SAYING:

"I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don't feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now."

7. WHITE FLASH

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE, SAYING:

"And how is Putin able to continue his war against Ukraine? The answer is China. China is Russia's lifeline. China wants to prevent its ally from losing in Ukraine. Without China's support, Russia could not continue to wage this war."

9. WHITE FLASH

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE, SAYING:

"President Trump wants to end the bloodshed now. And he is the only one who can get Putin to the negotiating table. So let's put Putin to the test. Let's see if he really wants peace or if he prefers the slaughter to continue."

11. WHITE FLASH

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE, SAYING:

"We need to be ready. Because at the end of this first quarter of the 21st century, conflicts are no longer fought at arm's length. Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe, and we must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents and great grandparents endured."

13. APPLAUSE FOR RUTTE AT END OF HIS SPEECH