NATO chief Mark Rutte downplays Putin's nuclear threats

Mark Rutte, the new NATO Secretary General, despite threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin, believes there is currently no direct threat of nuclear weapons being used. The statement was made during Tuesday's press conference at the Alliance’s Headquarters in Brussels.

Mark Rutte, who recently assumed the position of NATO chief, addressed the numerous nuclear threats made by Russian authorities.

We hear regular threats from the Kremlin and it’s true that Putin’s nuclear rhetoric is reckless and irresponsible, but at the same time let me make it absolutely clear we do not see any imminent threat of nuclear weapons being used - quotes the NATO chief.

Despite the Kremlin’s continuous declarations about the threat of using weapons of the greatest destructive power, Rutte emphasised that NATO has not observed any signs of actual preparation for such a step. The new Secretary General noted, however, that the Alliance is aware of the seriousness of the situation and will monitor developments.

Expanding on his statement, the Secretary-General expressed the conviction that the Russian President consciously focuses rhetoric around nuclear power to draw the West’s attention. Putin wants to talk about his nuclear arsenal and also wants NATO to talk about it, Rutte noted. Nevertheless, the NATO Secretary General calls for prudence and distance from such actions.

Mark Rutte also believed that succumbing to Putin’s military threats could have dangerous consequences for international stability. As he emphasised, such a reaction could set a precedent in the future and allow Russia to achieve its goals solely through intimidation.

Let us recall that Vladimir Putin proposed changes to the nuclear doctrine. The novelty is that Russia will treat an attack from a country without nuclear weapons, supported by a nuclear power, as a joint aggression against Russia.

According to experts, this statement was specifically designed to influence the current debate on granting Ukraine long-range weapons.