Rutte: Ceasefire in Ukraine increases risks for NATO
The end of the war in Ukraine will allow Russia to build up significant weapons stocks
An end or prolonged pause in the Russian-Ukrainian war will allow Russia to increase its weapons stockpiles, increasing the risks for NATO member states, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said during a briefing.
Rutte answered affirmatively to a journalist's question about whether it is fair to consider a permanent ceasefire in Ukraine a risk for NATO, since the Russian-Ukrainian war does not allow Russia to increase its weapons stockpiles.
"This is a statement of fact, I think," Rutte said.
According to him, NATO assumes that Russia is building up stockpiles even during military operations in Ukraine, but this is "a debatable issue."
- On May 26, Rutte expressed hope that Alliance members would agree to a common defense spending target of 5% of GDP.
- On June 9, Rutte said that Russia is building up its military capabilities , including increasing the production of tanks, armored vehicles, and missiles of various types. In five years, it will be ready to use military force against NATO.
