Rutte: We must be prepared that Russia may challenge NATO

The Alliance has always held the position that Tehran cannot possess nuclear weapons and this remains unchanged, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday during the Cold Response military exercise in Norway. He added that he is in constant contact with allies regarding possible actions to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

Rutte emphasized that NATO consistently opposes the possibility of Iran gaining nuclear capabilities and the development of Iran's ballistic missile potential. He stressed that limiting these capabilities is crucial for international security.

– When it comes to Iran and the risk of it gaining nuclear capabilities, NATO has consistently emphasized that this cannot happen, Rutte noted.

In the opinion of the Secretary General, all allies agree on the need to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, blocked by Iran. He added that NATO countries are conducting consultations to work out the best way to resolve this situation.

Rutte recalled that Russia spends about 40 percent. state budget for defense, which corresponds to approximately 10 percent. its national income. As he noted, these funds are used by the Kremlin for specific operational purposes.

– We must be prepared for the possibility that Russia may challenge NATO. Whether it will be in 2027, 2029 or 2031 – we do not know, but we must be ready – emphasized the Secretary General of the Alliance.

The NATO head pointed to Norway as a good example, which is increasing production in the defense sector and developing industrial cooperation with partners in Europe and the United States. He emphasized that these actions strengthen the capabilities of the entire Alliance.

Rutte visited the Cold Response 2026 exercises in Norway. Over 30,000 people take part in the exercises taking place in northern Norway and Finland. soldiers from 14 NATO countries.

Israel and the US launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. In response, Tehran launched retaliatory attacks on Israel and several countries in the Persian Gulf region, hitting both American bases located there and civilian facilities.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important sea route for the transport of oil and gas, which has been blocked by Iran since the beginning of the war. This led to a significant reduction in raw material supplies and, as a result, a sharp increase in fuel prices around the world.

From Oslo Mieszko Czarnecki (PAP)

cmm/rtt/