Russia to pose threat to NATO even after peace in Ukraine — Rutte
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (photo: Getty Images)
Russia will continue to pose a threat to the entire alliance, even if a peace deal with Ukraine is signed, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte hinted in his interview with The Moscow Times.
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"Let's have a peace deal first and then see what happens after that. But for NATO, it's clear as we see things now, Russia is a long-term threat to the whole of NATO's territory," Rutte said.
He also urged Russians to "do everything" they can to end the war, noting the conflict is causing massive destruction inside Russia itself.
The Secretary General highlighted Russia's mounting military losses, saying the Russian army was down 35,000 troops in December and 30,000 in January—more than had been recruited during the same period.
"[These casualties – ed.] do not come from Moscow and St. Petersburg, so the elite may not immediately experience this. But this will come soon, because at this rate of so many people dying in action, it's unavoidable that it will also reach Moscow and St. Petersburg," he noted.
NATO-Russia threat
Recently, Mark Rutte also stressed that NATO would win any direct war with Russia if Moscow decided to attack now. However, he noted the importance of ensuring NATO remains strong in the years ahead.
Western officials increasingly warn that Russia is preparing for potential conflict with NATO. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans has suggested such a scenario could emerge by 2030.
German military leaders estimate Russia could strike NATO countries within the next 2–3 years, with Germany likely at the center of any conflict as one of the key alliance members.
