‘No way they can beat us’: Rutte rebuffs Russian nuclear threats to NATO
Moscow and NATO have exchanged tense letters in recent days following Russian opposition to alliance exercises near its Kaliningrad exclave.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte strongly rejected Russia's nuclear threats during a security summit in Brussels, stating that NATO is a defensive alliance and will not be intimidated by Russia's aggression. "We had to reply and make clear to [Russia] that NATO is a defensive alliance… and stop the war in Ukraine and stop the nuclear threats because it’s not helpful," Rutte said.
"NATO is so much stronger than Russia is, so there’s no way they can ever beat us." The Russian embassy in Belgium had sent NATO a letter alleging reckless and irresponsible behavior near Russia's Kaliningrad exclave following alliance exercises. The embassy claimed Russia is prepared to deploy its entire arsenal to defend its territory and explicitly mentioned using its nuclear arsenal, according to a NATO diplomat.
NATO responded, denying the threat and denouncing any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. Some NATO allies dismissed the threat, viewing it as Russian propaganda attempting to intimidate allies and shift blame for any escalation.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
