NATO official warns Russia to remain security threat even after Ukraine war

NATO's Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinská has warned that Russia will continue to pose a significant security threat to Europe and the transatlantic alliance even after its full-scale war against Ukraine comes to an end.

Speaking at a plenary session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in the Lithuanian parliament on June 1, Šekerinská said the consequences of the conflict are already reshaping the security landscape across Europe and require sustained vigilance from NATO members, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

“We should not expect this threat to disappear even after the war in Ukraine ends,” she told delegates in Vilnius, stressing that the alliance must remain prepared for long-term challenges posed by Moscow.

According to Šekerinská, Russia is dedicating approximately 40 per cent of its state budget to military spending while maintaining round-the-clock weapons production, signaling its determination to preserve and expand its military capabilities.

The NATO official reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to collective defence, stating that NATO stands ready to protect “every inch of its territory.” She highlighted the alliance’s solidarity with Romania following an incident involving a Russian drone that struck a residential building near the country’s border.

Šekerinská also accused Russia of continuing to target civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, describing the attacks as deliberate and persistent.

Beyond Russia, she identified several other emerging security concerns for NATO. She criticised China for rapidly expanding its military capabilities without sufficient transparency and alleged that Beijing continues to provide indirect support to Russia’s war effort. She also pointed to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and activities in the Strait of Hormuz as factors contributing to global instability.

“In a more dangerous world, we must invest in security, strengthen our defense capabilities, and do so together,” Šekerinská said.

Her remarks come ahead of NATO’s upcoming summit, where alliance leaders are expected to discuss boosting defence production, increasing military readiness, and reaffirming long-term support for Ukraine.

By Sabina Mammadli