ATHENS

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday voiced serious concerns about Europe's security amid ongoing regional and global challenges.

Speaking at a joint meeting of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Security and Defense Committees, Rutte called for closer cooperation between the EU and NATO in addressing threats, including the nearly three-year-old war in Ukraine, destabilization efforts by Russia and its allies, and climate change.

“I’m deeply concerned about the security situation in Europe. We are not at war, but we are not at peace either,” he said.

Rutte underscored the need to enhance the resilience of societies and critical infrastructure while sustaining and increasing support for Ukraine to alter the course of the war and deter further aggression.

He stressed the importance of consistent backing for Ukraine, saying it is essential to pressure Russia into negotiations for a lasting solution that does not leave Ukraine at a disadvantage. Strengthening Europe’s defense and military capacities is also crucial, he added.

He spoke a week before US President-elect Donald Trump is due to take office, all but promising to cut or eliminate US aid to Ukraine.

Rutte, who took office last October, also addressed recent incidents in the Baltic Sea, including cable breaks that many Western nations blame on Russia.

“We must be more resilient to such hostile actions, and we must make clear that efforts to create disruption through sabotage and other destabilization will not go unanswered,” he said.