New NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urges allies to ignore Putin's nuclear threats.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated in an interview with Sky News that the allies "must not and do not listen" to threats from Vladimir Putin, since the alliance is strong and can respond to any threats.

According to Rutte, the annual NATO nuclear exercises Steadfast Noon, which will begin next week, send a clear signal to adversaries "about our readiness to respond to any threat".

Speaking about Russia's war against Ukraine, the new NATO Secretary General expressed doubt that Ukraine is weaker because it has not yet been allowed to use long-range weapons to strike at targets in Russia. He noted that with continued western support for Kyiv, "one system of weapons will not change the outcome of the war".

Rutte also held a meeting in London with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is making a short tour of European capitals with a "victory plan" to end the Russian invasion.

Commenting on Russian nuclear threats, the NATO Secretary General emphasized: "NATO is strong. We can withstand any adversary. We have everything necessary to ensure NATO's security and repel any threat".

The annual exercises Steadfast Noon, which will start next week, will be led by Belgium and the Netherlands. They will involve 2000 military personnel and 60 aircraft from 13 countries, including bombers and fighters capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The exercises will be conducted without the use of live ammunition.