NATO Calls for Joint Planning and Stronger Defenses to Counter Russian Challenges

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged member states to prepare for a long-term confrontation with Russia, emphasizing the need for joint strategic planning and stronger defense capabilities to address the growing Russian threat.

Speaking at the Defense Industry Forum held in Romania on Thursday, Rutte said that “Russia will remain a destabilizing power, and we must remain vigilant and ready for a prolonged confrontation.”

He added that the alliance needs to enhance its defensive capacity as Moscow continues to develop advanced weapon systems, including new generations of nuclear and conventional capabilities, warning that NATO may not be able to keep pace with such developments for another decade.

The Secretary General stressed that confronting Russian threats requires greater coordination among allied defense industries and an acceleration of military production, at a time when Europe continues to face rising tensions since the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine war in 2022.