NATO chief warns of growing Russian missile threat to all of Europe

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has issued a stark warning that Russia’s advanced missile capabilities pose a direct threat not only to frontline NATO states but also to countries across the continent—including those not sharing borders with Russia.

Speaking at a press conference in Luxembourg, Rutte emphasized that no member state is beyond Moscow’s reach, citing the speed and range of Russia’s latest weapons, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

"Let’s not be naive about it. This might also involve one day Luxembourg, or my country, the Netherlands. We are all safe now. We think we are far away from Russia, but we are very close. And the latest Russian missile technology, for example, the difference now between Lithuania on the frontline, and Luxembourg, The Hague, or Madrid is 5 to 10 minutes. That’s the time it takes this missile to reach these parts of Europe. So we are all under direct threat from Russians," Rutte stated.

His remarks come amid increasing concerns across Europe over potential future aggression from Moscow, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. NATO countries have ramped up defence planning, military spending, and modernization efforts in response to the perceived threat.

Rutte underlined that the danger is collective and affects all NATO members, regardless of geographic location. He also reaffirmed the United States’ enduring commitment to transatlantic security.

Rutte warned, “For the United States to be safe, the Atlantic, Europe, and the Arctic must also remain secure. Otherwise, America itself would be at risk.”

Since the beginning of Russia’s war in Ukraine, European defence officials have increasingly voiced concerns about Moscow’s future intentions. Governments are accelerating military preparedness, investing in new technologies, and revising national and NATO-wide defense strategies.

In June 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte declared in London that Russia could be in a position to launch a new military confrontation with the Alliance within the next five years.

Similar concerns were raised by French Chief of the Defense Staff General Thierry Burkhard, who warned that Russia’s pace of rearmament could turn it into a credible military threat to Europe by the end of the decade.

While there is no consensus on whether President Vladimir Putin is actively preparing for direct conflict with NATO, Alliance leaders have stressed the importance of readiness, deterrence, and unity in facing any potential threat.

By Vafa Guliyeva