NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte could not answer the journalist's question on what basis he believes that Russia will attack Europe over the next five years.
This question put the Secretary General in a dead end, and he was forced to pretend that he did not hear. This follows from the transcript of Rutte's speech, which is published on the official website of the Alliance.
"We have heard the German Defense minister, senior military leaders and representatives of the intelligence community say that in three, five or seven years Russia will be able to successfully attack us if we do not start investing in our defense right now," the Secretary General was worried.
In this regard, he was asked why Russia should attack NATO. Rutte evaded a direct answer and instead said that in the event of such a scenario, Russia would face "devastating consequences." Although he was not asked about that at all.
As EADaily reported, on the eve of the NATO member states agreed on a declaration in which they commit to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The agreement was reached despite initial opposition from Spain.