NATO Chief warns of Europe’s security risks amid global challenges

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed serious concerns about Europe’s security amidst ongoing regional and global challenges, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Speaking at a joint meeting of the European Parliament’s Committees on Foreign Affairs and Security and Defense, the NATO chief called for closer cooperation between the European Union (EU) and NATO to address threats, including the war in Ukraine, destabilizing efforts by Russia and its allies, and climate change.

“I am deeply concerned about the security situation in Europe. We are not at war, but we are not at peace either,” Rutte stated.

He emphasized the need to strengthen societal and critical infrastructure resilience, support Ukraine to shift the course of the war, and deter further aggression.

Rutte stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine, adding that it is crucial to pressure Russia in negotiations for a sustainable solution that does not leave Ukraine at a disadvantage, Anadolu reports.

The NATO chief stated that strengthening Europe’s defensive and military capabilities is also essential. He spoke a week before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office, who has pledged to cut or eliminate U.S. aid to Ukraine.

Rutte, who took office last October, also addressed recent incidents in the Baltic Sea, including the disruption of cables for which many Western countries blame Russia.

“We must become more resilient to such hostile actions and make it clear that efforts to create division through sabotage and destabilization will not go unanswered,” he said.