NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte yesterday, September 30, downplayed Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons during a security summit held in Brussels, while expressing regret that Europeans continue to rely on the Americans for their defense.
“It is terrible that 500 million people (Europe) have to ask a country with 300 million inhabitants (the USA) to protect them from a country with 140 million inhabitants (Russia),” said the former Dutch prime minister, who has often been criticized for his extremely cautious stance in communicating with US President Donald Trump.
Russia has sent a warning to NATO after military exercises conducted by the allies near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
Moscow has warned that it could use nuclear weapons if the Alliance tries to isolate the region through attacks on the decision-making centers of NATO member countries. Rutte has tried to reduce tension by maintaining 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 face any situation. NATO is much stronger than Russia, so it is impossible for Russia to defeat us.”