NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that the West must prepare for a sustained threat from both China and Russia, as the two powers deepen their cooperation in defense and industry to unprecedented levels.
“They are preparing for a long-term confrontation,” Rutte said during a security conference in Prague.
The Dutch leader stressed that NATO countries, including both Europe and the United States, must increase weapons production to protect themselves and to “close the gap with Russia.”
“Europe cannot afford to be naive about Russia, which will remain a conflictual and destabilizing force globally. We are already shifting direction in defense production, particularly in ammunition, acknowledging the commitment made by the Czech Republic during the Prague Defense Summit. We are gradually rebuilding our stockpiles and closing the production gap with Russia,” Rutte explained.
The NATO chief also emphasized the urgent need for capabilities, real firepower, heavy metals, and new technologies, urging the defense industry across the Alliance to deliver faster than ever, both in Europe and the United States.
“Across the Alliance, we simply are not producing enough,” Rutte said.
According to him, China and Russia are manufacturing weapons and heavy military equipment at an extraordinary—if not dizzying—pace, while seeking to reshape the global order in ways that undermine freedom and security.
Responding to critics of Western arms build-ups, Rutte underlined:
“Our goal is not to provoke, our goal is to defend.”
The Prague Defense Summit, where Rutte delivered his remarks, brought together leading figures from politics, the military, and the arms industry.
