Rutte believes Europe is on the verge of a major war

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte believes that Europe is "Russia's next target". He said this at a press conference in Berlin, Sky News reported.

Rutte stressed that the EU countries should do everything to prevent a new large-scale war - such as the one experienced by generations of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. As the Secretary General noted, the threat is growing rapidly, and many NATO allies continue to underestimate the seriousness of the situation.

Too many are comforting themselves with illusions. Too many believe that time is playing tricks on us. This is a mistake. We are Russia's next target and we need to act now," he said, urging allies to urgently increase defence budgets and arms production.

Europe and the risk of a major war: analysts' alarming assessments

• TheBBC writes that Britain will only be able to wage war for a few weeks due to limited reserves and medical capabilities.

• RUSI expert Gamish Mundell states that Britain's plan for major casualties is "based on the fact that there won't be any".

• The Independent notes that Europe is only now beginning to understand the depth of its defence weaknesses: spending has been systematically cut since the end of the Cold War, and Europe's real strength lies in unity in the face of threat.