NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said today in Prague that Western allies must rapidly arm themselves to thwart the hegemonic ambitions of Russia, which will remain a threat even after the war in Ukraine, and to achieve peace through force.
"It is clear that our current capacities are not enough. We are faced with serious threats. Russia and China are producing weapons at an unprecedented rate. This is not a demonstration at parades, but real power. Russia today allocates 40 percent of its budget for armaments. This year alone, thousands of tanks and hundreds of Iskander missiles. Our task is to make Europe ready," Rutte said at the Prague Defense Summit.
The NATO chief said that the Western allies have prepared plans, including how to increase missile defense capacities fivefold, as well as the production of artillery ammunition.
"The good news is that we already have significant resources, and new ones are coming. Stronger defense of Europe. We will soon reach the production of two million artillery shells per year and start to reduce Russia's huge advantage," said Rute.
The Secretary General mentioned Ukraine as an example to follow because it has managed to produce 4,5 million drones per year in a short time and NATO members should establish intensive cooperation with it in this area.
"NATO has a clear and ambitious plan. Each partner knows how to contribute. Our goal is not to provoke but to defend. Increasing defense investments is a response to Russia's unprovoked aggression in Ukraine. The challenges will not disappear. Our greatest asset remains unity. Europe and the US together," Rutte said.
After the panel at the Prague Defense Summit, the NATO Secretary General will meet with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiallo.
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonsson said at the summit that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had shattered the illusion that peace was the basic condition in today's world.
"Russia is producing more tanks, combat vehicles, missiles and drones than ever before. It is gaining experience from the front and managing to learn from it. It is adapting quickly and is also improving its hybrid operations," Johnson said.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, opening the Prague Defense Summit last night, also warned Western allies about the aspect of hybrid war and said that since 2014 and the crisis that erupted before the annexation of Crimea, they have been engaged in an undeclared hybrid war that was started and is still being waged against them by Russia.
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