NATO chief: Russia could target NATO within five years; urges urgent defense buildup
NATO leaders warned that a resurgent Vladimir Putin is "in the empire‑building business again" and could set its sights on alliance members, with Dutch PM Mark Rutte saying "We are Russia's next target. And we are already in harm's way." They urged an urgent defense buildup — NATO members committed in June to raise spending toward 5% of GDP by 2035 — while Poland's PM Donald Tusk said an investigation found Russian secret services commissioned a railway blast on the Warsaw–Lublin line and recruited two Ukrainians.
📌 Key Facts
- Rutte delivered a warning at the Bavarian State Representation in Germany during an event hosted by the Munich Security Conference.
- Direct quote from the report: "We are Russia's next target. And we are already in harm's way."
- The article says NATO members committed in June to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
- Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk said an investigation found Russian secret services commissioned a railway blast on the Warsaw–Lublin line and recruited two Ukrainians.
- The reporting appeared on Fox News (source title: "NATO secretary general warns Russia could target alliance members next amid rising tensions"), dated 2025-12-11.
📊 Relevant Data
Ethnic Russians make up approximately 25% of Estonia's population and 25% of Latvia's population, while comprising about 5% of Lithuania's population as of 2023.
Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Russian speakers in the Baltics — UpNorth
Russia's birth rate was 1.41 children per woman in 2023, far below the replacement level of 2.1, contributing to ongoing population decline.
Russia bets on patriotism to address demographic crisis — France 24
In 2024, Russia experienced a natural population decline of 596,200 people, driven by low birth rates and excess deaths.
Demographics of Russia — Wikipedia
Ethnic Russians constituted 17.3% of Ukraine's overall population according to the latest available data, but are overrepresented in eastern regions like Donbas.
Ethnic and linguistic identity in Ukraine? It’s complicated — Eurac Research
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"An opinion piece urging Europe to stop relying on others, rapidly shore up military capabilities and political unity to deter Russia — arguing strategic autonomy and real defense investment are the only ways for Europe to control its fate, while warning of domestic political limits and risks of escalation."
📰 Sources (2)
- Rutte delivered the warning at the Bavarian State Representation in Germany at an event hosted by the Munich Security Conference.
- Direct quote: "We are Russia's next target. And we are already in harm's way."
- Article claims NATO members committed in June to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 (as framed by the source).
- Poland’s PM Donald Tusk said an investigation found Russian secret services commissioned a railway blast on the Warsaw–Lublin line and recruited two Ukrainians.