Rutte plays down the Russian threat and criticizes Europeans

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday, September 30, played down Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons during a security summit held in Brussels, while lamenting the fact that Europeans continue to rely on the Americans for their defence.

“It is terrible that 500 million people have to ask a country of 300 million inhabitants to protect them from a country of 140 million inhabitants,” declared the former Dutch prime minister, who has often been criticised for his overly cautious approach in communicating with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Russia has sent a warning to NATO following military exercises conducted by allies near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Moscow has warned that it could use nuclear weapons if the Alliance attempted to isolate the region through attacks on the decision-making centres of NATO member countries. Rutte tried to lower tensions while holding a firm stance.

“There is no immediate threat to NATO territory,” he declared. “If there is a strengthening of the Russian presence, we will see it and we will deal with any situation. NATO is much stronger than Russia, so it is impossible for Russia to defeat us.”