Rutte’s unusually strong remarks underscore the growing tensions between Moscow and NATO countries as hybrid attacks and Russian-linked sabotage proliferate across Europe.
In recent days, Russia’s embassy in Belgium sent NATO a note alleging the alliance was displaying “reckless and irresponsible” behavior near its Kaliningrad exclave, following alliance exercises involving several reconnaissance planes, ground forces and fighter jets near the region, which is between Poland and Lithuania, last month.
“We have emphasised that Russia possesses the necessary means to repel any potential aggression and is prepared to deploy its entire arsenal to defend its territory should 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 hit allied territory, according to one NATO diplomat briefed on the letter, who was granted anonymity to speak freely.
NATO has sent a note back to Russian officials in response, the alliance’s spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed.
“We have sent a response, noting that NATO is a defensive Alliance and 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 force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.”