Kremlin Rebukes Rutte Over ‘Fight the Russians’ Warning
The Kremlin cast the NATO chief’s warning as ignorant, invoking World War II memory to counter claims about Russian intent.
Overview
- Peskov said Mark Rutte “does not understand what he is talking about” in comments that referenced World War II.
- Russia’s spokesman described the remarks as typical of a generation that has forgotten the war’s lessons.
- Rutte had urged European states to boost defense spending and be ready to “fight the Russians,” calling the alliance a potential next target.
- He delivered the message at a joint press event with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier in the week.
- Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on December 11 that Russia has no aggressive plans toward NATO or the EU and is ready to put such assurances in writing, with no new agreements or policy changes reported since.