Video interview-event of the head of NATO: “Russia is restored at an unprecedented rhythm in recent history” / Moscow leader Mark Rutte has never taken seriously

Europe must dramatically strengthen its defense against a removing Russia, said NATO Secretary General in an interview for the New York Times in which Mark Rutte emphasized the merits of US President Donald Trump for having taken the alliance to an unprecedented level of commitment, notes Kyiv Independent.

Rutte, who took over his position at the end of last year, after 14 years as the prime minister of the Netherlands, came to lead NATO in a period marked by Russia's expansionist ambitions and questions about how confidence can be in the United States as an ally.

Russia produces four times more ammunition than all NATO

“Russia is restored at a rate and with an unprecedented speed in recent history,” he told the American newspaper, adding that “… currently, it produces three times more ammunition in three months than NATO in a year.”

“This is unsustainable, but the Russians collaborate with the North Koreans, the Chinese and the Iranians, with the mullachs, in this war of unprovoked aggression,” he added.

Rutte acknowledged concerns about industrial defense production within the Alliance, adding that “we simply do not have the industrial defense basis needed to produce the weapons we need to make sure we can discourage Russians, North Koreans or anyone else to attack us.”

He stressed the importance not only of financial investments, but also the availability of qualified workers and sufficient industrial capabilities.

He stressed the interconnection of security between different regions, mentioning that a safe arctic is vital because of the increased activity of China and Russia, and a safe Atlantic is “crucial” for the US.

“If the Arctic, if the Atlantic Ocean, if Europe are not safe, the United States has a big problem,” Rutte said, saying that Russia is ultimately aiming to attack the US.

“I never took Lavrov seriously”

The leader of the Northern-Alian alliance has firmly rejected the statements of the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, according to which the new NATO objectives in terms of defense expenses would “bankrupt” the Member States.

“I know Sergei Lavrov very well. He is Russia's Foreign Minister since the birth of Jesus Christ and I have never taken it seriously. When you talk about fake news, look at Sergei Lavrov,” Rutte told NYT.

Lavrov's statements are “a clear proof that discouragement works”, added NATO Secretary General.

“Trump is the one who unlocked the impasse with a little”

As for Ukraine, Rutte confirmed that European allies have significantly increased their financial commitment.

“Europeans have collected $ 35 billion this year in military aid for Ukraine, which is more than last year,” he said. He considered that this is a logical and equitable change, given that the US expects Europeans to “take on a larger part of the burden of concrete support granted to Ukraine.”

Although he recognized the complexity of the discussions around the peace negotiations, Rutte emphasized the role of President Donald Trump in initiating the dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“He is the one who unlocked the deadlock with Putin. When he became president in January, he started these discussions with Putin and was the only one who managed to do so. It was necessary to happen. A direct dialog between the US President and the President of the Russian Federation.”

However, Rutte acknowledged that the further peace negotiations in Istanbul involved the Russia's sending of a less serious delegation, which has led to the conclusion that “we are not yet where it is, which means that, in the meantime, we must make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to remain in struggle.”