{"id":595365,"date":"2025-11-26T16:38:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T16:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/595365\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T16:38:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T16:38:15","slug":"russia-to-remain-long-term-threat-even-with-peace-agreement-says-nato-chief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/595365\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia to remain long-term threat ‘even with peace agreement,’ says NATO chief"},"content":{"rendered":"

LONDON<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Russia will continue to pose a long-term threat to Europe regardless of any peace deal struck to end the war in Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Speaking to El Pais in Brussels, Rutte said that even if Kyiv and Moscow reach an agreement, \u201cRussia will remain a long-term threat for a long time to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a wide-ranging interview, he said Spain will ultimately need to increase defense spending far beyond current government estimates.<\/p>\n

While Madrid maintains it can meet NATO requirements by investing 2.1% of its GDP, Rutte said: \u201cSpain will soon see that it also needs to spend 3.4% to 3.6%,\u201d he said, adding that the earlier 2% benchmark had been merely a \u201crough estimate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rutte offered strong backing for US President Donald Trump, whose approach to defense spending and security he praised, insisting the American leader has been central in pushing allies to bolster their military capabilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I like the guy,\u201d he said. \u201cHe is doing exactly what we need him to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

He credited Trump with efforts to break the diplomatic stalemate over Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Although he acknowledged the current peace plan \u201ccontains solid elements and others that need more work,\u201d he described it as a credible foundation for further negotiations.<\/p>\n

\u201cI completely share Trump\u2019s vision: this carnage must stop,\u201d Rutte said, adding that Russia is suffering heavy losses\u2014\u201cabout 20,000 soldiers every month\u201d\u2014while gaining minimal territory.<\/p>\n

On Ukraine\u2019s future within NATO, Rutte stressed that Moscow has no say in the matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cRussia has neither a vote nor a veto over who can be a member of NATO,\u201d he said, adding that accession still requires unanimity among allies. Until that is possible, he argued, Ukraine will need \u201crobust security guarantees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rutte also pushed back on the idea that countries distant from the front line feel less threatened. \u201cThere are five minutes between Vilnius and Valencia,\u201d he warned, referring to the speed of advanced Russian missiles. \u201cWe\u2019re all on the eastern flank.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n
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