The Kremlin reacted harshly to the statements of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who warned of the risk of a major conflict with Russia.

Mark Rutte, the NATO Secretary General, emphasized the need for the Alliance to be prepared for a large-scale conflict, stating that Russia could become a direct threat to member states. His statements, made in a speech in Berlin, were criticized by the Kremlin, with spokesperson Dmitri Peskov calling Rutte's remarks 'irresponsible' and accusing him of a lack of understanding of the devastation caused by war. Peskov suggested that Rutte should remind himself of the horrors of World War II.

Budapest also urged Rutte not to further fuel war tensions. Rutte insisted that many allies underestimate the danger and called for an acceleration of defense investments. The Kremlin has consistently rejected the idea of a Russian attack on NATO, deeming it absurd and fueling an 'anti-Russian hysteria' in Europe.