Rutte says NATO allies are prepared for Russian hybrid attacks
The NATO chief's remarks follow warnings from Emmanuel Macron of multiplying Russian hostile acts against France
Published
The statement follows warnings from French President Emmanuel Macron, who says Russia is multiplying hostile and criminal acts against France and has ordered extra protection for French sites. Macron's warning comes as Russian envoys and Kremlin negotiators pursue separate talks with Washington over Ukraine.
The Kremlin says it wants a full peace settlement rather than a ceasefire. Its investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has held fresh talks in Washington, following a meeting in New York between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Rutte's emphasis on preparedness reads less as reassurance than as a warning. Framing NATO's posture around readiness for attacks, rather than around deterrence stopping them, suggests the alliance views Russian hybrid operations as an active or imminent threat, in line with Macron's warnings and the run of reported Russian sabotage across Europe. That points to escalating risk rather than a sense that deterrence is holding.