**NATO Secretary General Warns of Russia’s Continued Threat to Alliance**
On June 23, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte delivered a stark message about the alliance’s security environment. In a press briefing, he warned that Russia remains the main threat to NATO, citing Moscow’s cooperation with China, North Korea, Iran, and Belarus.
Rutte emphasized that Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, with support from these countries, poses a significant challenge to the alliance. He stated that Moscow continues to wage war against Ukraine, with devastating consequences for civilians and military personnel alike.
**Historic Defense Investment Plan**
The NATO Secretary General announced that the alliance leaders will adopt a historic defense investment plan at their summit in The Hague on June 24-25. This plan includes a new benchmark of 5% of GDP for defense spending, as well as significant increases in air defense systems, tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery.
Rutte stressed that this plan is a response to the evolving threat landscape, particularly Russia’s war against Ukraine. He warned that NATO must act urgently to prepare for future threats, citing assessments that Russia could rebuild sufficient military capacity to challenge the alliance within five years.
**Support for Ukraine**
The Secretary General reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to supporting Kyiv and emphasized that the alliance remains committed to Ukraine’s path to membership. He announced that the allies have pledged over 35 billion euros ($40.6 billions) in military aid to Ukraine for the first half of 2025, up from 20 billion earlier this year.
**Shortened Summit and Omissions**
The summit has been shortened to 24 hours, with only one major session on defense spending. European officials have cited a desire to keep the focus narrow, which some see as an attempt to appease U.S. President Donald Trump. The final communique may omit references to the war in Ukraine.
**Recent Developments**
In recent days, Russia has launched several attacks on Ukrainian cities and regions, including drone and artillery strikes on Kherson Oblast, killing four people and injuring five others. Russian forces have also launched drone attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas.
The article concludes by highlighting the importance of NATO’s defense investment plan in the face of these continued threats from Russia. As Rutte stated, “Our security environment has changed, and not for the better. The threats we face today demand that we do far more.”
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