Putin Criticizes Rutte’s NATO Rhetoric

(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin has described NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as a capable politician who nevertheless spreads “nonsense” about Moscow posing a threat to the West.

Speaking during his annual Q&A session on Friday, Putin contrasted Rutte’s current stance as NATO chief with his earlier role as prime minister of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024. “He is a smart man, I know that. Smart, organized, and effective as prime minister. The Dutch economy is in good shape, for which he partially deserves credit,” Putin remarked.

However, the Russian leader questioned Rutte’s warnings about war with Russia, saying, “I sometimes want to ask him: Look, what nonsense you are spouting about war with Russia? That they are preparing for a war with Russia. Can you read? Why don’t you read the new US national security strategy, what does it say?”

Putin emphasized that the recently published US strategy does not label Russia as a threat and explicitly advises against further NATO expansion. Given Washington’s dominant role in the alliance in terms of military strength, finances, technology, and political influence, he argued that Rutte’s alarmist rhetoric is detached from reality.

“One should pay closer attention,” Putin concluded, adding that this advice applies not only to the NATO secretary general but also to other Western leaders.

Officials in Moscow have repeatedly accused European NATO members of portraying Russia as a convenient adversary to justify large-scale militarization and to deflect criticism of domestic policy failures.

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