NATO chief warns Russia remains alliance's greatest security threat

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has outlined his vision for a transformed alliance under the concept of "NATO 3.0," calling for greater European responsibility while maintaining strong transatlantic ties and warning that Russia remains NATO's foremost long-term security threat.

Speaking in an interview with Anadolu Agency, Rutte said the new model would mark a significant shift from the alliance's previous structure by reducing Europe's reliance on the United States without diminishing Washington's role.

"NATO 3.0 is different from NATO 2.0, where we were overly dependent on the US," he said.

"The US will still be involved in Europe, conventional, and of course through the nuclear, but you will see a stronger European-led NATO," he added.

According to Rutte, the transformation will include a greater European role in NATO's command structure, while European allies and Canada assume increased financial responsibility for supporting Ukraine.

Addressing the alliance's security outlook, Rutte described Russia as NATO's principal threat both now and in the years ahead.

"Russia is the main threat now and in the longer term," he said.

Referring to the war in Ukraine, Rutte accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of sustaining the conflict at enormous human cost.

"We see this crazy war of aggression against Ukraine, where (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is willing to sacrifice 35,000 of his own, his own men, primarily men in Russia fighting there, being killed or seriously wounded by Ukraine," he said.

Rutte argued that NATO's security concerns extend beyond Russia alone, pointing to what he described as growing strategic cooperation among Moscow, North Korea, Iran, and China.

"So I would say Russia, but Russia is working together with North Korea, with Iran, with China," he said.

He also urged allies not to underestimate China's military expansion.

"China is having a massive buildup of its own military, will have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. So let's not be naive about China," he said.

Rutte concluded that the growing alignment among the four countries represents one of the alliance's most significant long-term security challenges.

"And again, in this foursome, working together with Iran and North Korea, it's what Russia has to make, is the main long-term threat we face," he added.

By Vafa Guliyeva