Brussels – Rutte: NATO is a defensive alliance, Russia must stop nuclear threats

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said today that there is no immediate threat to NATO territory from Russia, reacting to Moscow’s warnings about the use of nuclear weapons in the event of an attempt to isolate Kaliningrad, according to Reuters.

Russia has warned NATO that it would be ready to use, if it considered it necessary, even nuclear weapons, if the alliance tried to cut Kaliningrad off from the rest of Russian territory.

Kaliningrad is a Russian territory on the Baltic Sea, located between Poland and Lithuania.

Rutte reacted to the Russian message by stressing that NATO is a defensive alliance and called on Moscow to stop nuclear threats.

“We must keep some calm on NATO’s side,” Rutte said, adding that the alliance will at the same time continue with its defence activities.

He stressed that, if Russia were to undertake a military action against Finland, Poland or any other NATO country, such an action would be preceded by a build-up of military forces.

Rutte also said that the United States will continue to be involved in the defence of Europe, including defence with conventional and nuclear means.

“NATO will continue to support Ukraine and invest in its defence,” he added.

Rutte also declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not seem ready to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.