NATO chief Mark Rutte has said that he intends to highlight the Western defence alliance’s own nuclear capabilities more prominently in the future, primarily as a deterrent against Russia.
“It is important that we talk more about nuclear deterrence with our societies, to ensure they understand how it contributes to our overall security,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Sunday’s edition of Die Welt newspaper in comments seen in advance by dpa.
He added, “When Russia is using dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric, our populations must know that there is no need to panic, because NATO has a strong nuclear deterrent, to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression.”
Russia, a nuclear power, invaded Ukraine more than three and a half years ago and has been at war in the neighbouring country ever since. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed the potential of Russian nuclear weapons, also to dissuade the West from providing stronger support to Kiev.
Just over two weeks ago, Russia launched a large-scale manoeuvre of its strategic nuclear forces in parallel with an ongoing NATO nuclear exercise taking place in Europe.
Rutte: NATO can protect all allies
Rutte stressed the importance of NATO’s nuclear capabilities: “NATO’s nuclear deterrence is the ultimate guarantee of our security. It is important that our nuclear deterrent remains credible, safe, secure and effective.”
“And Putin must know that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought,” said Rutte, who is a former prime minister of the Netherlands.