Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said there is no imminent threat to Nato territory and the alliance is prepared for Russian aggression, while Ukraine warned of a $27bn gap in its war funding.
Key facts
- Mark Rutte said there is no imminent threat to Nato territory and the alliance is prepared.
- Ukraine's total war costs will reach $155bn this year, according to its prime minister.
- Kyiv is struggling to close a $27bn funding gap to sustain combat operations at the start of 2027.
- Ukraine plans to cover $7bn through postponed spending, reallocation and cost cuts.
- The government is in talks with partners to cover the remaining $20bn, Reuters reported.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte moved to calm public anxiety over the security situation in Europe, saying the alliance faces no immediate danger despite ongoing concerns about Russia. “Please stop being so worried, we are prepared for this…there is no imminent threat to Nato territory,” Rutte said, according to the Guardian.
His comments came as the alliance signalled readiness to respond to any Russian aggression, while stressing that no attack on Nato territory is currently expected.
At the same time, Ukraine laid out the scale of the financial pressure it faces as the war continues. The country’s total war costs will reach $155bn this year, Ukrainian prime minister Sergii Koretskyi said.
Koretskyi said the government is struggling to close a $27bn funding gap needed to ensure it can keep conducting combat operations at the start of 2027.
To address part of the shortfall, the government planned to cover $7bn by postponing expenditure, reallocating money from other parts of the budget and cutting some costs, Koretskyi said.
For the remaining $20bn, Ukraine was in talks with partners on how to cover the gap, Reuters reported.
Why it matters
Rutte's reassurance aims to steady public nerves in Europe amid heightened tensions with Russia. At the same time, Ukraine's growing funding gap underscores how much its ability to keep fighting depends on continued support from international partners.
Frequently asked questions
What did Mark Rutte say about the threat to Nato?
Rutte said there is no imminent threat to Nato territory and urged people to stop being so worried, adding that the alliance is prepared for Russian aggression.
How large is Ukraine's funding gap?
Ukraine is struggling to close a $27bn funding gap to ensure it can continue combat operations at the start of 2027, according to prime minister Sergii Koretskyi.
How does Ukraine plan to cover the shortfall?
The government plans to cover $7bn by postponing expenditure, reallocating budget money and cutting costs, and is in talks with partners to cover the remaining $20bn, Reuters reported.