The increasing alignment of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran highlights the global nature of the threats faced by the transatlantic region, including the escalating dangers of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said on Wednesday.

"The increasing alignment of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran highlights the global nature of the threats we face. Including the escalating dangers of the ongoing war in Ukraine. In return for troops and weapons, Russia is providing North Korea with support for its missile and nuclear programs. These developments could destabilize the Korean Peninsula and even threaten the United States. So, Russia's illegal war in Ukraine threatens us all," he told a press conference in Brussels, following a two-day meeting of the NATO Foreign Ministers.

Rutte expressed confidence that for this reason Allies "will continue to stand together – Europe and North America – alongside our international partners, to keep our 1 billion people safe."

He also said that "Ukraine is facing relentless bombardment targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure. And Russia is making gains along the frontline, though at a high cost."

"This could be Ukraine's most difficult winter since 2022. We discussed what more Allies can do to provide critical ammunition and air defenses, as Russia steps up its attacks and expands the war with the aid of North Korean troops and weapons," he said.

The Secretary General said that Allies are working to deliver on the financial pledge of EUR 40 billion in security assistance for Ukraine in 2024.

"I expect the new command in Wiesbaden, the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, to be fully operational by the end of this year," he said.

Rutte also said that the new EU High Representative Kaja Kallas joined the ministerial on Tuesday.

"The EU is an essential partner and we cooperate on a range of issues: From our support to Ukraine, to military mobility, and ramping up defense production," he said.

Speaking about the Wednesday meeting, the Secretary General noted that "Ministers discussed Russia's increasingly aggressive posture, as well as its escalating campaign of hostile actions in NATO countries."

"We have seen a steep increase of these attacks, and we must hold the perpetrators to account. Both Russia and China have tried to destabilize our countries and divide our societies with acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, and energy blackmail. So today Ministers agreed a set of proactive measures to counter Russia's hostile and cyber activities," he said.

These measures include enhanced intelligence exchange, more exercises, better protection of critical infrastructure, improved cyber defense, and tougher action against Russia's shadow fleet of oil exporting ships, Rutte explained.

"And we will work closely together with the EU on these issues," he said.