NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that the alliance could be Russia’s next target while speaking at a security conference in Berlin.

Rutte told alliance members that they must do everything they can to prevent a war that could “bring devastation comparable to the conflicts experienced by our grandparents and great-grandparents.”

The NATO chief also told those gathered that Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years, urging countries to support Ukraine in its war against Moscow to help keep the threat of a larger war waged by Putin at bay.

According to Rutte, too many NATO member states do not perceive the urgency of the threat and do not quickly increase defense spending and weapons production, even though this is necessary to prevent war.

“We are Russia’s next target. I fear too many are quietly complacent, too many lack a sense of urgency, and too many believe that time is on our side. It is not so!” he said, stressing, “Now is the time for action.”

Rutte is optimistic that the United States and Europe can develop a common position on Ukraine, but he also emphasized that the U.S. cannot be safe without a safe Europe.

He also called out China for being Putin’s “lifeline.”

On X, Rutte posted: “Always a pleasure to be in Berlin and meet Friedrich Merz. Germany makes impressive contributions to our Alliance – on the ground, in the air, and at sea. And you continue to be a driving force behind support to Ukraine.”

“We know we can count on Germany, and Germany can count on NATO,” he added.