NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Russia is allocating nearly half of its national budget to its military effort while maintaining around-the-clock defense production.

Axar.az reports that explaining why greater urgency is required during his speech at the NATO Summit in Ankara Rutte noted:

“Russia is pouring almost half of its national budget into its war machine. Can you imagine, almost 50% of what Russia spends is put into the war machine. Its defence industry is working around the clock. And not only the defense industry, also the rest of the industrial base in Russia is supporting the war effort. China continues to modernise its armed forces and expand its nuclear capabilities without transparency. North Korea continues to expand its nuclear programme, and supply Russia. And while recent U.S. action has significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, we must remain vigilant. These countries are increasingly working together. That should concern us all. Because I assure you, they do not have our best interests in mind,” he said.