NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned on Wednesday that any attack on Poland or other coalition members would have a strong response, reaffirming the group’s commitment to defending its eastern side.
“If anyone is going to misunderstand and think they can attack Poland or any other allies, they will get the full strength of this fierce alliance,” Rut said.
“Our reaction will be devastating.”
Rut directly mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding: “This must be very clear to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and anyone else who wants to attack us.”
Rutte’s remarks in Warsaw with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are increasingly concerned about Poland and the growing concerns of the Baltic countries that Russia may try to test NATO’s unification through limited military invasions or hybrid wars.
Poland allocates 5% of its GDP to the Ministry of Defense and is one of the most heavily Eastern members of the alliance.
Tusk responded to Rutte’s position and called for a “just peace” in Ukraine.
“Only just peace can give us a sense of security for all of us,” he said.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte (L) meets with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. – /NATO/DPA
