'Strength, speed and stamina...': NATO chief Rutte’s blunt message to Europe on Russia, China

Speed is of the essence. Russia and China are racing ahead. We must ensure our industrial engine turns faster. And that's why NATO is working closely with industry on both sides of the Atlantic to ensure they ramp up production and ramp up innovation. Major defense and technology companies here in North Rhine-Westphalia are doing exactly that. Companies like Rye, Metal Tuition, coop and many othersI talked about strength and speed. So let me say a few words about stamina. Keeping 1 billion people safe is not a sprint. We are in for a long journey. We know that Russia is well. Old war machine is not going to turn rusty anytime soon, and that China's military modernization and technological development are not about to slow down. And we also know Ukraine's fight is our fight. Their security is our security, and our support is unwavering. And I know Germany is at the heart of our alliance and takes the leadership role we needed to take. So I count on that on your continued leadership at NATO, and you can rely on NATO to keep doing everything we can with strength, speed and stamina to protect our freedom, our security, and our peace.