BRUSSELS – Rutte: Russian attack on train in Ukraine shows how “desperate” Putin is

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday that the Russian attack on a passenger train in Ukraine shows that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “desperate,” stressing that the attack will not weaken Western support for Ukraine, according to Reuters.

A Russian drone struck a passenger train yesterday near Ukraine’s border with Poland, a NATO member state.

The attack came shortly after a diplomatic train carrying former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other European diplomats had passed through the area.

Rutte said Putin aims to deter Western countries from continuing their support for Ukraine and to damage their unity.

“He thinks he can stop us from supporting Ukraine and that he can undermine our unity. He is wrong. Our response is to increase support,” Rutte said.

The attack has sparked strong reactions in Europe.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the attack as an attempt to frighten and divide Europeans, while German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called it a calculated escalation by Moscow.

The statements come at a time when European countries are discussing strengthening support for Ukraine and new measures against Russia.