Vladimir Putin in Moscow (Image: Getty)

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has issued a stark warning to NATO members, urging them to commit to spending 5% of GDP on defense or risk having to "get your Russian language course out" The former Dutch PM emphasized the need for increased defense spending as Russia's aggression in Ukraine persists.

NATO defense ministers have settled on allocating 3.5% of GDP for "core defense spending" on heavy weaponry and air defense systems, while an additional 1.5% of annual GDP will be directed towards security-related areas such as infrastructure and cyber defense.

"These targets describe exactly what capabilities Allies need to invest in over the coming years," Mr. Rutte explained to the press. He highlighted the urgency of preparing for potential Russian aggression against NATO, stating: "If we don't act now, the next three years, we are fine, but we have to start now, because otherwise, from three, four or five years from now, we are really under threat.

• Woman died for 11 minutes and shares chilling warning about what she saw
• Chilling map shows 75% of US population could be wiped out in nuclear war

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte (Image: Getty)

US Ambassador to NATO Mathew Whitaker (right) alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Image: Getty)

"I really mean this. Then you have to get your Russian language course out, or go to New Zealand," he further cautioned.

Echoing Rutte's sentiments, Donald Trump's ambassador to NATO, Mathew Whitaker, called for immediate action from European members to make "credible progress" on defense investment. "The threats facing NATO are growing and our adversaries are certainly not waiting for us to re-arm or be ready for them to make the first move," Whitaker stated. "We would prefer our allies move out urgently on reaching the 5%," he told journalists during a briefing at the NATO meetings.

The White House, since the onset of the Trump administration, has persistently criticized European nations for not investing sufficiently in their own defense, effectively letting the US foot the bill. In response, capitals across Europe, including the UK, have pledged to "step up" and assume responsibility for Europe's defense stance.