NATO Chief Warns of Potential Russian Attack Within Five Years

Fri Dec 12 2025 18:41:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

NATO's chief, Mark Rutte, emphasizes the risk of a Russian attack on NATO member countries within the next five years, calling for increased military readiness as tensions escalate in Eastern Europe.

Mark Rutte, NATO's chief, warns that Russia could launch an attack on NATO territory within the next five years, urging member states to bolster their military capabilities in response to escalating tensions. His statements reflect growing concerns over Russia's military actions and provocations in the region, particularly in light of its ongoing invasion of Ukraine and increasing military production.

Russia could attack a NATO country within the next five years, according to NATO's chief Mark Rutte, who delivered a solemn warning in Germany about escalating tensions related to Russia's military ambitions. Rutte highlighted an increase in covert operations by Russia against Western societies, stating, 'We must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured.'

His remarks align with similar assessments from Western intelligence regarding Moscow's intentions, which the Kremlin dismisses as exaggerated fears. The warning notably coincides with rising geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022.

President Vladimir Putin has publicly reassured that Russia has no intention of waging war against Europe, while simultaneously preparing for such scenarios should hostilities arise. Historical parallels are drawn as Putin's reassurances in 2022 occurred just prior to the invasion of Ukraine, raising skepticism about the sincerity of his current claims.

Rutte, speaking in Berlin, emphasized the necessity of supporting Ukraine as critical to ensuring European security amidst growing military production capabilities in Russia. He cautioned that accepting a Russian victory in Ukraine would only enhance the risks to NATO's security.

The warning from NATO underscores the importance of collective defense commitments and the urgency for member states to increase military spending, as the alliance seeks to prepare for potential conflicts on the European continent. The NATO chief’s statements send a clear message about the seriousness of the threat posed by Russia, urging that time should not be viewed as an ally in this escalating situation.