NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte responded to the nuclear threats issued by Russia against NATO on Wednesday (September 30) with a dismissive tone, stating, “I don’t take it very seriously.”
According to a report by NBC News on Wednesday, Rutte, while attending the Euronews Defence & Space Summit 2026 in Brussels, told reporters that he does not view the Russian threat of using nuclear weapons seriously.
“We are a defensive alliance, please stop the nuclear threats. It is completely inappropriate and serves no purpose. Especially, please stop the war in Ukraine, which is an aggression against Ukraine without any legitimate reason,” he said.
Prior to this, Ukrainian media revealed that Moscow, in an informal document, threatened NATO that if it attempts to isolate its exclave Kaliningrad, it may resort to using nuclear weapons.
Rutte confirmed the existence of this letter but refused to disclose specific details, stating that he is not authorized to reveal such information.
He also reiterated, “Putin knows he can never defeat NATO, so I don’t take this too seriously.”
When asked if there is a real risk of Russia launching a nuclear strike against NATO member countries, including Baltic states, Rutte briefly replied, “No, there isn’t.”
Meanwhile, Rutte emphasized that NATO countries not only need to strengthen their own defense but also continue to support Ukraine.
He stated that Putin is using letters and various hybrid actions to sow division among allies and shift people’s focus away from this aggressive war.
“Therefore, regardless of whatever hybrid actions happen in Europe, our response will be: providing more support to Ukraine, not less,” he said.
In early September 2026, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that NATO should enhance military exercises around Kaliningrad to compel the Russian side to move some troops from Ukraine to that region. He also stressed that NATO forces should not invade this Russian exclave.
On Tuesday (September 29), the Russian Embassy in Ireland accused NATO of intending to isolate Kaliningrad and stated that Russia is prepared to use any weapons, including nuclear, if necessary.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported that Moscow warned NATO in an unofficial document that if NATO attempts to isolate Kaliningrad, Russia is prepared to use nuclear weapons.
Subsequently, NATO’s press office confirmed to the Ukrainian Public Broadcasting Company (PBC) that they did indeed receive such a letter.
NATO stated that the Kremlin’s “nuclear rhetoric” is “irresponsible” and pointed out that the reason Russian authorities are taking such “hybrid tactics” against NATO is because NATO supports Ukraine.