NATO Secretary General vows defiance against Russian threats
"NATO will not be cowed by Russian threats but keep up its strong support of Kyiv," said the new Secretary General, who addressed Vladimir Putin. He emphasised that the Alliance is capable of facing any threat.
"NATO will not be cowed by Russian threats but keep up its strong support of Kyiv," said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. "The message (to Russian President Vladimir Putin) is that we will continue, that we will do what's necessary to make sure that he will not get his way, that Ukraine will prevail," he noted in a conversation with Reuters.
He stressed that NATO is ready to face any threat, but at the same time he pointed out that the Alliance is a defensive organisation, not an offensive one.
The interview occurred at the headquarters of the new mission supporting Kyiv - NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) at the US Clay Barracks in Wiesbaden, Germany.
NATO exercises
The North Atlantic Alliance began its annual Steadfast Noon nuclear exercises on Monday. Over 60 aircraft will conduct flights over Western Europe over the course of two weeks. The exercises include fighter jets and bombers capable of carrying US nuclear warheads.
According to the new NATO Secretary General, there is currently no direct threat of nuclear weapons use by Russia despite the threats made by Putin.
"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," he said.
Rutte noted that Putin seeks to discuss his nuclear arsenal and expects NATO to engage in the conversation as well. However, Rutte argued that this approach should be avoided, asserting there is no immediate danger. He stressed that if NATO were to give in to Putin’s threats, such as by scaling back support for Ukraine, it would set a dangerous precedent, signaling that Russia could achieve its objectives through mere threats of military action.
