ATO Secretary General Mark Rutte delivered a stark warning to alliance members on Thursday, urging them to strengthen defense measures to prevent a potential Russian attack on Europe. Speaking in Berlin, Rutte said the threat should be taken as seriously as the wars faced by past generations.

“We are Russia’s next target. 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 said during a keynote address at the Bavarian State Representation, hosted by the Munich Security Conference.

Rutte emphasized that many NATO allies have yet to recognize the scale of the threat, calling for immediate increases in defense spending and military production. He stressed that the alliance must prepare to counter a conflict on a level comparable to the devastating wars endured by grandparents and great-grandparents.

The NATO chief’s comments underline growing concern over Russia’s military ambitions in Europe, highlighting the need for member states to move swiftly to strengthen collective security. With tensions on the continent rising, Rutte’s warning is a call to action for governments to avoid complacency and ensure that the alliance remains prepared for any potential escalation.