NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia is suffering significant losses in Ukraine and declared NATO's strength, asserting that Russia will not seek to attack a member country at this time.
In a recent statement, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reported that Russia is experiencing "outrageous losses" in its military campaign in Ukraine, estimating that around 65,000 Russian soldiers have been killed over the past two months. This assessment underscores the ongoing challenges facing the Russian military amidst intense conflict, suggesting a significant impact on its operational capabilities.
During a roundtable discussion with journalists at the Munich Security Conference, Rutte emphasized NATO's resilience and highlighted that currently, Russia is not in a position to attack any NATO member state. He expressed confidence that NATO would prevail in any military conflict with Russia, asserting, "We will win every war with Russia if it attacks us now," and he stressed the importance of maintaining this strength into the future. Rutte's comments reflect NATO's commitment to collective defense and deterrence amid heightened tensions in Europe.
Additionally, Rutte addressed the topic of European nuclear deterrence, responding to discussions in Germany regarding potential nuclear collaboration with France. He asserted that while discussions aimed at collective enhancement of nuclear deterrence in Europe are positive, no one in Europe supports the idea of replacing the U.S. nuclear umbrella. This statement speaks to the reliance on U.S. nuclear capabilities within NATO and suggests a cautious approach toward European initiatives in nuclear defense, aiming to maintain the established security architecture.
