NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Russia's actions have strengthened the European case for boosting defence spending, as German officials warned that the Russian threat had reached the continent's doorstep.
Key facts
- NATO chief Mark Rutte said Europeans 'increasingly understand' the need to take 'greater responsibility for our own security'.
- German official Wadephul said the Russian threat 'has reached our doorstep and it's tangible'.
- Wadephul cited a Russian attempted attack at the airport in Leipzig as the most recent incident.
- German officials described a 'string of constantly growing Russian aggression against Europe and against Nato'.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Russia’s actions have strengthened the European case for boosting defence spending, according to the Guardian’s Europe live coverage. Rutte said Europeans ‘increasingly understand’ the need for their countries to take ‘greater responsibility for our own security’.
The comments came alongside remarks from German official Wadephul, who was addressing German ambassadors. Wadephul repeated that the Russian threat ‘has reached our doorstep and it’s tangible’.
Wadephul pointed to a specific incident, saying: ‘The Russian attempted attack at the airport in Leipzig is only the most recent incident in a string of constantly growing Russian aggression against Europe and against Nato.’
He added that ‘Russia and its partners operate with a global network against our interests and in favour of an own imperialist claim to great power status’, framing the threat as part of a broader pattern rather than an isolated event.
Together, the statements reflected a shared message from NATO and German officials that European countries need to shoulder more of the burden for their own defence in the face of what they described as growing Russian aggression.
The Guardian tracked the developments through its live Europe coverage on 10 September 2026, updating throughout the day as officials made their remarks.
Why it matters
Calls from NATO and German officials to boost defence spending signal a continued shift in how Europe approaches its own security. For readers, it points to potentially higher defence budgets and a hardening stance toward Russia across the continent.
Frequently asked questions
What did NATO chief Mark Rutte say about defence spending?
Rutte said Russia's actions have strengthened the European case for boosting defence spending, and that Europeans 'increasingly understand' the need to take 'greater responsibility for our own security'.
What incident did German officials cite?
German official Wadephul cited a Russian attempted attack at the airport in Leipzig, describing it as the most recent incident in a string of growing Russian aggression against Europe and NATO.
How did German officials describe the Russian threat?
Wadephul said the Russian threat 'has reached our doorstep and it's tangible', and accused Russia and its partners of operating a global network against European interests in pursuit of an imperialist claim to great power status.