NATO Chief Warns of Potential Russian Aggression Within Five Years

Fri Dec 12 2025 17:34:57 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a stark address, NATO's Secretary General warns member nations to brace for a possible Russian attack in the coming five years, increasing concerns amid ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe.

During a recent speech in Germany, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte cautioned that Russia could launch an attack on a NATO member state within the next five years. He emphasized the necessity for readiness and increased military preparedness as Russia escalates its covert operations against Western societies, reflecting intelligence assessments that Moscow's intentions may be more aggressive than previously suggested. Rutte reaffirmed that support for Ukraine is crucial for European security, highlighting the grim risks if Russian ambitions are unchecked.

Russia could attack a NATO country within the next five years, the Western military alliance's chief has said in a stark new warning.

Russia is already escalating its covert campaign against our societies, Mark Rutte stated in a speech delivered in Germany. We must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured. He highlighted that similar assessments regarding Russia's intentions have been echoed by Western intelligence agencies, which Moscow refutes as mere hysteria.

This alarming forecast coincides with US President Donald Trump's efforts to halt Russia's extensive invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted that Russia does not aim to go to war with Europe but remains prepared should Europe provoke actions that escalate tensions.

However, these reassurances bear resemblance to claims made prior to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting skepticism from NATO leaders. Rutte articulated that support for Ukraine is vital for maintaining European security, warning against the dangers of complacency in the face of a more assertive Kremlin.

Highlighting the urgency of NATO's military readiness, Rutte said, Imagine if Putin achieved his objectives: Ukraine under occupation and an emboldened Russian presence along NATO's borders, significantly raising the risk of direct conflict.

As Russia's military capabilities expand, with production levels of tanks and drones reportedly peaking, NATO's response has not matched this urgency, prompting calls for increased defense spending and military production across member countries.

NATO currently encompasses 30 European nations alongside Canada and the US—the alliance’s strongest military power. In light of rising tension, member states are under pressure to enhance their military capabilities.

Rutte's admonition in Berlin emphasized the necessity of immediate action to bolster NATO's defenses, dispelling the notion that the current stability might persist indefinitely amidst growing threats from Russia.