Zelenskyy Warns of Potential Russian Attack on NATO Within Five Years

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning: Russia could launch an attack on a NATO member within the next five years. This announcement comes as the NATO summit in The Hague gets underway, with pressing discussions on defense spending and strategies to counter Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy’s Concerns

Zelenskyy expressed the belief that the current pace of increased NATO spending is insufficient. He suggests that Russia could possess significantly enhanced capabilities starting in 2030. Currently, Ukraine is actively preventing Russia from advancing, which buys the West time. Zelenskyy also stated that Russia might attempt to attack a NATO nation in the coming half-decade.

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Rutte’s Perspective on US Commitment

Mark Rutte, NATO secretary general, highlighted that European allies have worried unnecessarily about the US commitment to NATO. He said it was confirmed by the appointment of Lieutenant General Alexus G. Grynkewich.

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To bolster defense, many NATO members are aiming to meet the 2% of GDP spending target, with several already exceeding it. As of 2024, twelve NATO members had already surpassed this benchmark, reflecting a concerted effort to increase military readiness (NATO Data).

Sabotage Concerns

At the NATO Public Forum, Dutch justice and security minister David van Well mentioned the evaluation of approximately 40 scenarios. These scenarios could disrupt the summit, including actions by state actors or terrorist groups. Major train disruptions between Utrecht and Amsterdam, with no trains running to Schiphol Airport, prompted speculation of sabotage.

As the summit progresses, the focus remains on solidifying collective defense and strategies to protect against potential threats from Russia.