Rutte: The New Cold War and the « scary » numbers – what did NATO announce

« Drums of the War » sounded during a conference of Chatham House in London. NATO Secretary -General raised the confrontation with Russia two weeks before chairing the summit of the leaders of the Alliance in The Hague.

Mark Rutte called on « to make our alliance stronger » in order to « face a growing range of threats » with the clear view that Russia has the capacity to « re -arrange and threaten alliance countries in the near future ».

« In five years … »

At a time when the West is preparing to « throw » many billions to the development of its war industry, Rutte, to justify these expenses, claimed that « Russia is producing in three months what NATO produces in one year. » In fact, he also gave figures: Moscow’s defense industry is expected to build 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armored vehicles and 200 iskander missiles this year only … « and to further strengthen the argument for the defense shielding of the alliance. Repeated five years to emphasize.

Anxiety in NATO ranks and investments of many billions of … defense

« Let’s not fool ourselves, » he said, « the new generation of Russian missiles travels at a multiple speed from the speed of sound. The distance between European capital is a matter of thin. There is no longer sunrise or the West – there is only NATO, « he said in a … counterattack.

« It is vital to any NATO member to lift the burden of him because America has lifted a great deal, for a long time, » calling for a « stronger » alliance because « because of Russia, the war has returned to Europe. »

‘A Stronger Nato Mean Spending Much More on Our Defense’

Mark Rutte Says Nato Needs A 400% Increase in Air and Missile Defense to Maintain a Credible Deterrence.https://t.co/ypndlzz5n8

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And Winston Churchill

Analyzing today’s data, the Dutch official said that Russia has allied with China, North Korea and Iran and « Putin’s war machine is accelerating, does not slow down ».

He turned back many years when Winston Churchill in 1936 asked a very specific question during a debate in the House of Commons: « Will we prevent our defense? …. Will there be time to make these efforts to be made or will the words « too late » be recorded in history?  » This is the question that NATO is concerned with today, he said. And he added, « History has taught us that in order to maintain peace, we must prepare for war. »

A stronger NATO « means spending much more on our defense, » he continued, moving on to the … slogan.

‘Increase by 400% of air and missile defense’

« At the Hague summit, I expect that alliance leaders will agree to spend 5% of GDP on defense. It will be a commitment to all NATO. And a decisive moment for the alliance. « 

This new defense spending plan includes two parts.

« 3.5% will be invested in our basic military needs. While the rest will be directed to defense and security -related investments, including infrastructure and the creation of industrial capacity. 5% is not a number out of the air, but it relies on events, « he explained.

We need, he said: « 400% increase in air and missile defense » because we see in Ukraine how Russia « carries terror from above. » Thus, « we will enhance the shield that protects our skies. »

He also demanded, « Thousands of armored vehicles and tanks. Millions of artillery missiles. Doubling our abilities, in administrative care, supply, transport and medical support.

« The allies will invest in more warships and aircraft. To give only one example, America’s allies will supply a total of at least 700 F-35 fighter aircraft. We will also invest in more unmanned aircraft and long range missile systems (…). « 

Infrastructure

He went on to say that « wider defense and safety -related investments, including infrastructure, will be needed. Roads, railways and ports are just as important as battle tanks, fighters and warships. We need transport networks that can support military mobility. To convey the right forces, to the right place, at the right time. « 

Part of the money will also be directed to « protecting our societies from cyberattacks, sabotage and other threats ».

Will ‘hurt’ Europeans’ pocket says the Kremlin

The Kremlin, responding to M. Rutte’s expected statements, said that « NATO is not a tool to maintain stability and security in Epirus. It is a tool created for confrontation and so far has hidden its true character. Now it shows his true character. « 

Dmitry Peskov said that those who suffer are European taxpayers.

« European taxpayers will spend their money to neutralize a threat that is said to come from our own country, but it is nothing but an ephemeral threat, » he said.

The Kremlin spokesman also said that Russia plans to increase cooperation with African countries, including in « sensitive areas » such as defense and security.