NATO Secretary General criticizes Russia for its reckless nuclear rhetoric

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte criticized Russia for its “reckless nuclear rhetoric” in an interview with “Welt am Sonntag”. He also assured citizens of NATO countries that there is no reason to worry.

“When Russia uses dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric, our citizens should know that there is no reason to panic. NATO has a strong nuclear deterrent,” the head of NATO said in an interview published on Saturday.

Rutte found it important to hold talks in NATO countries on nuclear deterrence. So that “societies understand how it contributes to our common security.”

“Putin must know that a nuclear war cannot be won and should never be started,” said the former Dutch prime minister.

In October, Russia conducted exercises of its strategic nuclear forces, and in parallel, the North Atlantic Alliance organized its annual nuclear exercises in Europe. Since the Kremlin launched a full-scale invasion against Ukraine in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned the West about possible nuclear consequences.

Three of the 32 NATO countries are nuclear powers. The US, France and Great Britain have nuclear weapons in the Alliance. (PAP)

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