NATO boss issues terrifying World War 3 warning as he tells people to 'start learning Russian'

The head of NATO has issued a stark warning to members to 'start learning Russian' in the next three years.

Stroking fears that World War Three may be in the works, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has bluntly urged members to hike defense costs or 'get your Russian language course out'.

The former Dutch prime minister is encouraging the the treaty to meet a Donald Trump-inspired pledge of five percent of GDP on defense amid Russia's ongoing aggression towards Ukraine.

The emphasis is particularly for European nations which the US has long criticized for falling short in aiding the continent's position of defense, effectively leaving America to foot the bill.

Rutte has also urged Europe to meet the pledge (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The warning comes as NATO defense ministers settled on allocating 3.5 percent of GDP for 'core defense spending' on artillery, tanks and air defense while a further 1.5 percent of annual GDP will be spent on other security measures like infrastructure, surveillance and cyber security.

"These targets describe exactly what capabilities Allies need to invest in over the coming years," Rutte explained to reporters in London, as per The Mirror, where he went on to warn of a potential attack on NATO from Moscow.

"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.

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

The US has largely funded the military and defense position of the alliance (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Donald Trump's ambassador to NATO, Mathew Whitaker, supported the call to European members, saying: "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.

"We would prefer our allies move out urgently on reaching the five percent."

Rutte said NATO needs a 400 percent increase in air and missile defense to maintain its collective, credible deterrence, adding that threats to the alliance 'will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends'.

Rutte explained: "We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies.

"Our militaries also need thousands more armoured vehicles and tanks, millions more artillery shells, and we must double our enabling capabilities, such as logistics, supply, transportation, and medical support."

Rutte also met British PM Starmer to discuss NATO priorities (Jordan Pettitt - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

He said it's not just Russia that poses a threat either, stating: "Russia has teamed up with China, North Korea and Iran. They are expanding their militaries and their capabilities.

"Putin's war machine is speeding up, not slowing down."

"Wishful thinking will not keep us safe," Rutte continued. "We cannot dream away the danger. Hope is not a strategy. So NATO has to become a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance."

Adding from Chatham House in the UK before meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he said the US 'has carried too much of the burden for too long,' and called on Europe and Canada to 'do more for our shared security'.

It is anticipated NATO allies will take heed of his warning and agree to the five percent pledge during at the summit in The Hague later this month.