NATO chief Rutte downplays Putin's nuclear threats

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

It's true that Putin's nuclear rhetoric is reckless and irresponsible, but—let me say this absolutely clearly—we do not see any direct threat of using nuclear weapons," quotes the NATO chief from the Polish Press Agency.

Despite the Kremlin's continuous declarations about the threat of using weapons of the greatest destructive power, Rutte emphasized 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, quoted by the Polish Press Agency, noted. Nevertheless, the NATO Secretary General calls for prudence and maintaining distance from such actions.

Mark Rutte also expressed his belief that succumbing to Putin's military threats could lead to dangerous consequences for international stability. As he emphasized, such a reaction could set a precedent in the future and allow Russia to achieve its goals solely through intimidation.

Let us recall, 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 the use of long-range weapons.