Brussels, September 29 – NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte told a joint press conference with Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius that Russia is conducting a campaign of hostile actions aimed at undermining the alliance’s support for Ukraine. Rutte said Moscow’s attempts to weaken NATO’s resolve were failing, both on the battlefield in Ukraine and in attempts to erode the unity of the 32‑member alliance.
Rutte acknowledged that Russia’s hybrid tactics can have an impact, but stressed that NATO has a range of response options, visible and otherwise. He urged member states to remain calm and continue to support Ukraine, noting that the alliance’s collective response is not always public but is effective. He praised the attribution of Russian activity by allies such as Estonia, and called for sharing information with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander and SHAPE.
The comments came after Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna identified an arson attack on Milrem Robotics’ premises in Tallinn as a sabotage order from Russian special services. Tsahkna described the act as part of a broader Russian campaign to intimidate European allies and weaken their support for Ukraine.
Tsahkna said Estonia would summon Russia’s charge d’affaires in response to the sabotage, and that the perpetrators had been apprehended. He reaffirmed Estonia’s commitment to strengthen aid to Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to end its aggression, emphasizing that the alliance’s collective efforts were proving effective.
Rutte’s remarks underscore NATO’s determination to maintain unity and support for Ukraine, while countering Russia’s hybrid campaign across Europe.
