NATO chief warns of future confrontations awaiting alliance beyond Russia

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine as the "most obvious example" of current security threats to the alliance but cautioned that the challenge will persist even after the Ukraine conflict ends.

The alliance's chief warned of the Chinese, Iranian and North Korean defence industries’ increasing capabilities while speaking at the IISS Prague Defence Summit on September 4, Caliber.Az reports.

He urged that the alliance's defence industries need to deliver outputs "faster than ever" as NATO, as a whole, was "not producing enough". While he did note that the military pact's countries were "already turning the tide" by narrowing the production gap that exists with Russia, Rutte warned of the risk of broader confrontation with powers besides Moscow.

Rutte described Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine as the "most obvious example" of current security threats to the alliance but cautioned that the challenge will persist even after the Ukraine conflict ends.

"The threat will not end when this war does. Nor is the challenge limited to Russia. China, Iran and North Korea pose challenges individually and as a result of the cooperation. They are increasing their defence industrial cooperation to unprecedented levels. They are preparing for long-term confrontation. So we must be prepared," he said, referring to the pictures from the Chinese military parade in Beijing and the "hand holding" between various leaders that point to alliances.

"If China would one day decide to attack Taiwan, it will not be limited to that attack. Why would [Chinese President] Xi Jinping not call his junior partner Vladimir Putin to also keep us busy here in Europe in the northern Atlantic area?" Rutte remarked.

Rutte further stressed that financial resources alone cannot guarantee security, calling for greater efforts from the defence industry across the alliance. “"Cash alone can't provide security. We need the capabilities, real firepower, heavy metal, as well as new tech,” the NATO chief stated.

By Nazrin Sadigova