ATHENS

Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to NATO, said the alliance’s chief on Wednesday.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Warsaw with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Poland’s ongoing endeavors of re-armament and emphasized the importance for members of the alliance to follow a similar path.

“Poland's investment in defense is therefore an example for all allies. Not only do you top the NATO charts, you plan to spend even more,” he said.

“In an increasingly dangerous world, boosting defense spending is essential, he added.

Maintaining that Russia is moving into a wartime economy, which will enable it to boost its capacity and capability to build its armed forces, Rutte said: “Let's not forget that Russia is the most significant and direct threat to our alliance.”

On the relations with the US, he argued that transatlantic partnership remains ”the bedrock of NATO."

“The US has repeatedly made clear its commitment to a strong NATO, and President Trump reiterated this when we met at the White House earlier this month,” Rutte remarked.