Dutch Defence Chief Warns of Europe’s ‘Window of Vulnerability’ Until 2030
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A top military leader from the Netherlands has given a warning about Europe.
His name is General Onno Eichelsheim. He is the Dutch chief of defence.
He said Europe has a 'window of vulnerability'. This means a time when Europe is weak.
He said this weak time will last until 2030.
He said Europe must learn from the war in Ukraine.
This means Europe must learn important lessons about fighting and safety.
The war in Ukraine is very expensive. It costs a lot of money.
Ukraine's war costs will reach $155 billion this year.
Ukraine also has a big money problem. This is called a funding gap.
The gap is $27 billion. Ukraine needs this money.
Ukraine wants to keep fighting in early 2027.
Ukraine's prime minister talked about this money problem.
Vocabulary10 words
- military
- about the army and soldiers
- chief of defence
- the top leader of a country's army
- vulnerability
- being weak or easy to hurt
- lessons
- things you learn from what happened
- funding gap
- when you do not have enough money
- prime minister
- the leader of a government
- warning
- telling people about danger
- combat operations
- fighting in a war
- armed forces
- the army, navy, and air force
- urgently
- very quickly and importantly
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Quiz
Answer key
1. The Dutch chief of defence 2. — 3. $27 billion
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A top _____ leader from the Netherlands has given a warning about Europe.
His name is General Onno Eichelsheim. He is the Dutch _____ of defence.
He said Europe has a 'window of _____'. This means a time when Europe is weak.
He said Europe must learn from the war in Ukraine.
This means Europe must learn important _____ about fighting and safety.
Ukraine's war costs will reach $155 _____ this year.
Ukraine also has a big money problem. This is called a _____ gap.
The gap is $27 billion. Ukraine needs this money.
Ukraine wants to keep fighting in early 2027.
Ukraine's prime _____ talked about this money problem.
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