Rutte’s unusually strong remarks underscore growing tensions between Moscow and NATO countries as hybrid attacks and Russia-linked sabotage proliferate across Europe.
In recent days, the Russian embassy in Belgium sent NATO a memo alleging that the alliance was exhibiting “reckless and irresponsible” behavior near its Kaliningrad enclave, following alliance exercises involving several reconnaissance aircraft, ground forces and combat aircraft near the region, located between Poland and Lithuania, last month.
“We emphasized that Russia has the necessary means to repel any potential aggression and is ready to deploy its entire arsenal to defend its territory if NATO countries attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of our country,” the embassy wrote on social media.
In its letter to NATO, Moscow explicitly mentions the use of its nuclear arsenal and issues specific threats to strike allied territory, according to a NATO diplomat briefed on the letter, who was granted anonymity to speak freely.
NATO sent a memo back to Russian officials in response, alliance spokeswoman Allison Hart confirmed.
“We sent a response, noting that NATO is a defensive alliance and that none of our activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia,” she said in a statement. “We strongly denounce the threat of use of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.”
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