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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described Russia as a long-term threat to the alliance, stating NATO would prevail in a direct confrontation. He credited President Donald Trump with helping to strengthen the organization. These comments drew criticism from Russian lawmakers, who labeled them a verbal escalation. Rutte also praised Denmark for assuming a larger NATO role and discussed plans to increase the alliance's military presence in the Arctic region.
Separately, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the incoming NATO Secretary General, addressed the alliance's potential role in Ukraine. He stated that NATO troops would only be deployed to Ukraine following a peace agreement. This condition was criticized by a Russian legislator, who characterized Rutte's earlier promises as 'telling tales'. Concurrently, a Dutch minister separately observed that Russia does not seek a direct conflict with NATO.
3 topics | 7 sources
2 topics | 80 sources
Feb 27 — Feb 26
NATO chief says allied troops could deploy to Ukraine after a peace deal is reachedNATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said troops from NATO member countries could be deployed to Ukraine immediately after a peace deal is concluded. He stated the alliance is discussing this possibility as part of future security guarantees for Ukraine. Russian officials, including Dmitry Medvedev, warned that any NATO troops in Ukraine would become a legitimate military target. They also accused NATO nations of plotting to smuggle a nuclear weapon into Ukraine, a claim NATO has not commented on. Rutte, who leads NATO, also said Russia has suffered over 1.3 million casualties in the war and that the U.S. plans $15 billion in weapons aid to Ukraine for 2026. He urged allies to provide more support to Kyiv.