The former Dutch prime minister said Russian defence spending for 2025 will be at the highest level since the Cold War and urged NATO members to switch to a wartime mindset.
BBC »
Secretary general Mark Rutte said Moscow was “preparing for long-term confrontation” with the West, 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,” he said in his first major speech since becoming secretary-general in October, and urged members to “turbocharge” their defence spending.
Tim Zadorozhnyy, writing for Kyiv Independent »
Rutte also pointed out that Russia has already shifted its economy to a wartime footing, with defense spending projected to reach 7-8% of GDP by 2025, the highest since the Cold War.
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