NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Russia’s continued attacks against Ukraine are having the opposite effect of what Moscow intends, strengthening the Alliance’s determination to support Kyiv.
Rutte said Russia is suffering heavy losses in the war but that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no willingness to bring the conflict to an end.
“Russia’s brutal attacks against Ukraine do not stop. Russia is suffering extraordinary losses, now estimated at more than 40,000 killed or severely wounded every month. Think about that for a moment. More than 40,000 every month,” Rutte said.
Despite the scale of those losses, Putin is showing no readiness to end the war, according to the NATO chief.
“On the contrary, Russia continues to strike Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, often targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” Rutte said.
He also pointed to what he described as an expanding campaign of Russian hybrid activities across Europe, including cyberattacks, sabotage, arson, airspace violations and drone incidents.
Rutte condemned what he called Russia’s latest hostile actions as reckless and dangerous, saying they pose a threat to human life.
“But we are not intimidated,” he said. “We know these are the tactics of a desperate regime that is failing to achieve its objectives in Ukraine.”
According to Rutte, Putin is seeking to divide NATO allies, destabilize European countries and weaken Western support for Ukraine.
“But he will fail,” Rutte said. “These malicious actions are having the opposite effect.”
His remarks come as NATO allies continue to strengthen support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing attacks and growing concerns over Moscow’s use of hybrid tactics beyond the battlefield.
