Focus – Rutte: Russia is testing us across Europe through sabotage and airspace violations

BERLIN, 1 October /ATSH-AA/ – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said today that Russia is “testing us across Europe” through airspace violations, arson, sabotage and other hostile actions, but stressed that Moscow is failing to intimidate the alliance.

“We see Russia testing us across Europe — airspace violations, arson, sabotage,” Rutte said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in Münster, Germany.

“While we do not see any imminent military attack against NATO, we must be prepared for Russia’s campaign of hostile actions against allies to continue. We must all remain vigilant. We must all remain attentive,” he said.

Rutte accused the Kremlin of seeking to divide NATO allies and pressure them to reduce their support for Ukraine. “Our message is clear: stay calm, keep working and keep supporting Ukraine,” he said.

The NATO chief stressed that the alliance has the capabilities to defend “every inch of allied territory” and remains prepared to respond to threats. Referring to the war in Ukraine, Rutte said Russian President Vladimir Putin is paying a “huge price” for the conflict.

“Putin is sending tens of thousands of young Russians to their deaths every month, and for nothing. He is failing on the battlefield and he is failing to intimidate us,” he said.