NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte today did not want to comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that Russia is ready for war with Europe right now. “I will not react to everything Putin says“, Rutte told journalists before the start of the meeting of foreign ministers of the alliance countries in Brussels, BTA reports.
He stressed that the United States is coordinating its actions with NATO partners in connection with efforts for peace negotiations and an end to the war in Ukraine. Rutte also called for no speculation about the absence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio from today's meeting, as he will be represented by his deputy.
“I hope the negotiations will yield results“, Rutte also said. According to him, thanks to the support from Europe and the United States, aid to Ukraine continues, and economic sanctions against Russia are having an effect. According to him, this is the most effective way to change Putin's calculations and end the conflict sooner.
Rutte added that today's meeting will also discuss specific measures to increase military spending and expand defense production in accordance with decisions taken earlier this year. Representatives of Ukraine are expected to join the talks again.