World
November 4, 2024 20:00
berlin - NATO Chief Rutte issued a warning during his visit to Germany, stressing that the frontline in Ukraine is shifting towards Western Europe. He also called on allies to increase defense spending.
Dutch Secretary-General and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz showed friendly camaraderie during their meeting. "We know each other well and get along," stated the social democrat Scholz, who addressed Rutte informally, a rarity in German politics. "We worked as friends together," reminisced the former VVD leader.
Rutte praised Germany, noting, "For the first time in three decades, they are investing two percent." However, Rutte believes that all allies need to invest more due to the bloody invasion in Ukraine since February 2022.
Initially hesitant, Scholz promised Ukraine only five thousand helmets to defend against Putin's forces. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson went further, stating in an Arte documentary that the German security advisor suggested to Scholz that 'Kyiv should surrender.' 'Utter nonsense from a fantasist,' was the German response. Germany now ranks second, after the United States, in defense funding for Ukraine.
Observers are concerned about the political stability in Washington and Berlin, two key NATO countries. The US will vote on whether the convicted former President Trump will be re-elected tomorrow, promising to end the years-long war 'in a day.' In Berlin, the left-liberal government faces a potential break on Wednesday due to budget deficit concerns. 'Regardless of the US election outcome,' Rutte said, 'we will work with both Harris and Trump. We do not want a repeat of the post-World War I mistake where the allies fell apart.'
Rutte warned about both the hot and hybrid wars waged by Russia: 'The shifting frontline is not only along Ukraine but also heading towards Western Europe through the Baltic states and the Baltic Sea.' He mainly referred to Russian ships, aircraft, and drones approaching NATO territory, sometimes intruding. 'Putin will not settle for Ukraine; he is intensifying his hybrid warfare, infiltrating our democracy and sabotaging our industry and economy. The goal is to weaken us and set us against each other.'
Rutte indicated that Ukraine is on the path to NATO membership, although it is not imminent. 'This is a message to Putin; he cannot win this war,' Chancellor Scholz said. However, the thousands of new soldiers from North Korea supporting Moscow at the front raise concerns. Rutte sees this as a 'significant escalation,' alongside the roles played by China and Iran in support of Russia.