Rutte Warns Putin of ‘Devastating’ Response if He Attacks NATO Country

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned Russia that the Alliance will always defend Poland or any other ally and that its response to an attack will be ‘devastating’.

Rutte made the statement on Wednesday at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a visit to Warsaw, the Associated Press reports.

The NATO Secretary General stressed that Poland plays a key role in the Alliance's collective defence - at sea, in the air and on land.

‘When it comes to the defence of Poland and the overall defence of NATO territory, if someone miscalculates and thinks they can get away with attacking Poland or any other member of the Alliance, they will face the full force of this tough Alliance. Our reaction will be devastating,’ Rutte said.

He also noted that this message should be ‘very clear to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and anyone else who wants to attack us’.

Rutte stressed that the transatlantic partnership remains the foundation of NATO, and this position remains unchanged.

Tusk, in turn, said that Poland wants peace in Ukraine as soon as possible, but stressed that this peace must be fair and ensure the security of not only Ukraine, but also Poland and all NATO member states.

As The Gaze reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with NBC News that NATO is the cheapest security guarantee for Europe, the United States and Ukraine.