BRUSSELS

Leaders of NATO's eastern and northern member states and the alliance's chief called Monday for increased defense spending and stronger deterrence measures in response to growing threats from Russia ahead of this month’s NATO summit in The Hague.

Speaking at the Bucharest Nine (B9) and Nordic Countries Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the current security climate as "the most dangerous in decades."

"We are not at war, but we are not at peace either, so we must continue to strengthen our deterrence and defense, and that means pivoting towards a full warfighting readiness -- providing significantly more forces that are well-trained, well-equipped and supported with logistics, sustainment and ammunition," he said.

Rutte said he expects allies to demonstrate a firm commitment to collective defense at the upcoming summit by boosting defense industrial production and increasing investment.

He also underscored NATO's continued support for Ukraine, calling a strong and sovereign Ukraine essential for Euro-Atlantic security.

In response to a question about concerns over the United States' long-term military posture in Europe, Rutte said Washington remains committed to NATO and Article 5, the alliance's collective defense clause.

He noted that it is natural for the US to also focus on the Indo-Pacific but assured that a robust American presence would remain in Europe.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said his country would spend 4% of its GDP on defense this year and more than 5% annually from 2026 to 2030.

Nauseda also called for continued deliveries of long-range artillery and advanced air defense systems to strengthen Ukraine's position on the battlefield and at any future negotiations.

"I am pleased that all participants agreed that we need a stronger NATO, a stronger transatlantic link, and increased defense production," said Romania's new president, Nicusor Dan, announcing that everyone agreed on organizing the next summit in Bucharest.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that Russia remains a serious threat to Europe, particularly in the Baltic Sea region.

"It is assessed by the Danish Defense Intelligence Service that Russia sees itself in conflict with the West and is preparing for war against NATO. We need to invest massively in our collective security, all of us, and we need to do it fast," she said.

The Netherlands will host a NATO Summit in The Hague on June 24-25.