Mark Rutte calls for calm in response to Russia’s actions and reaffirms NATO support for Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called for calm among allied states on Tuesday, amid mounting accusations of a Russian campaign of sabotage and destabilization in Europe. He said Moscow is trying to weaken Western unity and support for Ukraine, but is failing to achieve its objective.

Rutte said Russia continues its hostile actions against NATO allies, but urged member states to continue their work and support Kyiv. The Alliance chief acknowledged that these operations can have an impact, but stressed that NATO is stronger and must not be naive in its dealings with Moscow.

The statements came after Estonia accused Russian intelligence services of ordering the arson attack on the headquarters of defense company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn in August. Estonia’s foreign minister described the incident as sabotage, while authorities announced the detention of the alleged perpetrators and the summoning of the Russian ambassador.

The European Union, Germany, France and Sweden expressed solidarity with Estonia, saying that Russia is trying to intimidate Europe in order to reduce support for Ukraine. Lithuania’s prime minister warned that the risk of hybrid attacks persists, with no indications of a large-scale Russian operation in the immediate future. The Kremlin rejected the accusations, calling them unfounded and disconnected from reality.