NATO’s newly appointed Secretary General, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, wasted no time addressing one of the most contentious issues facing the alliance: whether Ukraine should be permitted to use Western-supplied weapons to strike deep into Russian territory. Speaking at a press conference on October 1, following his official takeover from Jens Stoltenberg, Rutte endorsed Ukraine’s right to use its arsenal to target “legitimate” objectives within Russia’s internationally recognized borders, igniting fresh debate over NATO’s role in the ongoing conflict.
Rutte’s remarks reflect the increasingly blurred lines between defensive and offensive operations in Ukraine’s battle for sovereignty, marking a new chapter in NATO’s policy toward the war. As tensions rise, the shift brings with it questions of escalation, international law, and the long-term implications for European security.
During the press conference, Rutte asserted that Ukraine’s right to self-defense extends beyond its borders, particularly when striking targets within Russian territory that serve military purposes. Citing international law, Rutte suggested that Ukraine should not be restricted from retaliating on Russian soil, as such operations fall under legitimate acts of self-defense. “Supporting Ukraine’s right to self-defense means that it is also possible for them to strike legitimate targets on the aggressor territory,” he emphasized.
However, Rutte’s backing was accompanied by a caveat: NATO as a collective entity would not determine the rules of engagement. Instead, it would be up to individual NATO members to decide how their supplied weapons could be used by Ukraine. This shift in responsibility allows member states to adopt diverse policies on arms usage, potentially sidestepping direct NATO involvement in controversial strikes while still empowering Ukraine with significant military support.
Rutte’s remarks come at a time when the West is divided over the appropriateness of allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory. Some see such actions as an effective deterrent against further Russian aggression, while others fear they could lead to an uncontrollable escalation of the conflict, particularly if Moscow responds by using nuclear or other highly destructive means.
Rutte, aware of these concerns, attempted to walk a delicate line. He praised Ukraine’s courage and creativity on the battlefield, emphasizing the high human cost borne by Russian forces, with recent estimates suggesting up to 1,000 Russian casualties daily. According to Rutte, Ukraine’s resistance is not only essential for its sovereignty but also crucial to the broader security of Europe and the world. He reiterated that allowing Russia to win in Ukraine would lead to a severe deterioration of global security, with President Vladimir Putin poised to expand his influence significantly.
Rutte’s tenure as NATO Secretary General begins at a crucial moment, as allied leaders prepare to meet at Ramstein Air Base to coordinate additional support for Ukraine. The NATO chief expressed optimism that both European and American backing for Ukraine would continue, regardless of the political landscape in Washington. “Everyone I speak with in America, on the Republican side, on the Democrat side, but also here in Europe, understands that if Russia would win in Ukraine, if Putin would get what he wants, that that would ultimately mean that our security situation is in a much more difficult state,” Rutte explained.
He praised former US President Donald Trump for pushing NATO members to increase defense spending and credited current U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris with maintaining American support for Ukraine. Despite acknowledging the challenges of keeping the alliance unified, Rutte was confident that Western nations would continue to provide financial and military aid, driven by both defense concerns and shared values.
Unsurprisingly, Rutte’s endorsement of Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory was met with sharp criticism from Moscow. Leonid Slutsky, leader of Russia’s right-wing nationalist Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), condemned the statement, suggesting that Rutte’s words marked a continuation of NATO’s aggressive policies. “The first statements leave no doubt that the course towards general escalation and asserting the dominance of the ‘golden billion’ countries will continue,” Slutsky wrote on Telegram, referencing Western powers.
Slutsky’s comments underline Russia’s growing suspicion that NATO’s actions in Ukraine are less about defense and more about extending Western influence at Russia’s expense. Moscow has repeatedly warned that it views Western arms shipments to Ukraine as direct involvement in the war and has threatened to retaliate accordingly.
In response to the evolving threat landscape, Russia is in the process of amending its nuclear doctrine. The proposed changes would allow Moscow to deploy its nuclear deterrent in the event of a large-scale conventional attack by a non-nuclear state if that state is backed by a nuclear power-an indirect reference to NATO’s support for Ukraine. These amendments, if passed, could potentially lower the threshold for a nuclear response, making the prospect of escalation even more alarming.
Rutte’s assertive position on Ukraine reflects a broader consensus within NATO that the alliance cannot afford to let Russia succeed in its invasion. Yet, it also raises questions about how far NATO is willing to go to support Ukraine without provoking a catastrophic escalation. By pushing the decision-making on weapons use to individual NATO members, Rutte may be trying to deflect responsibility for the potential consequences of Ukrainian strikes on Russian soil, while still advocating for robust military support.
The upcoming Ramstein meeting will be a key moment for NATO allies to determine the future course of their support for Ukraine. With Russia’s losses mounting but its resolve undeterred, the stakes for both Ukraine and the alliance have never been higher. Whether Rutte’s backing of Ukrainian strikes will help Kyiv turn the tide of the war, or whether it will spark a dangerous new phase of escalation, remains to be seen.
Mark Rutte’s debut as NATO’s Secretary General is marked by a bold stance in support of Ukraine’s right to strike within Russian territory, highlighting both the complexities of international law and the unpredictable nature of modern warfare. As the war drags on, NATO’s challenge will be to balance military support for Ukraine with the need to prevent further escalation-particularly in light of Moscow’s shifting nuclear doctrine. Rutte’s leadership will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the alliance’s approach to this conflict, one that has already reshaped the global security landscape.
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