Rutte: Attack on Ukrainian train shows how “desperate” Putin has become

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said today that the attack on a train in Ukraine shows how “desperate” Russian President Vladimir Putin has become.

“Russia is becoming increasingly reckless as it continues its terrible war against Ukraine,” he noted.

The drone attack on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border is a calculated escalation by Putin aimed at creating fear in Europe, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said today.

“It is even more important to remain level-headed, to not allow ourselves to be provoked, but at the same time to leave no doubt that we are capable of defending ourselves and that we will not back down if the situation escalates,” Pistorius told reporters in the northeastern German town of Wolgast.

“What Vladimir Putin is doing is dangerous. He knows this, and that is why he is doing it.”

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham “unequivocally” condemns the Russian attacks on a Warsaw-bound train near the Polish border and denounces a “futile attempt” by Moscow to undermine support for Kyiv’s allies, his spokesman said today.

“This will not discourage us,” he added. “Yesterday’s attacks reminded us in a stark way that this war is not far away.”