NATO: Russia preparing for long-term confrontation with Ukraine and Europe

In a speech Thursday in Brussels, Secretary General NATO warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to “include Ukraine from map”, and he called on the coalition “to move into a wartime mentality and increase production and expenditures in the field of defence. “

“Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation, with Ukraine and with us”, Mark Rutte said, adding that Europeans must prepare for Russia's possibility of using its “fears” on the continent. Putin, he added, “is trying to crack down on our freedom and lifestyle”.

“We are not ready for what will come after four to five years”, said the former Dutch prime minister, who warned that NATO states may need to spend more than 2 percent of gross domestic production in the field of defence. NATO now urges its member states to spend 2 per cent of its gross domestic production in defence.

During the Cold War, said Mr. Rutte, Europeans spent more than 3 percent of their gross domestic defence production -- a level also required by United States President-elect Donald Trump for NATO member states.

Only 23 of the 32 NATO members are expected to meet the 2 per cent target this year, according to coalition officials.

Leader NATO also called on the governments of the alliance's member states to increase their military budgets, warning that Russia will probably spend up to 7%, or 8% of domestic production flour for defence next year.

Russia is already engaged in a co-ordinated <x0fuces to destabilise our societies”, Rutte warned, citing the last “operations that Moscow has undertaken against NATO members, including cyber attacks and attempted murder.

“The danger is moving towards us at a great speed”, Mr. Rutte warned. “ / VOA