Rutte says NATO sees no imminent threat to its territory

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on October 14 that the alliance sees no imminent threat to its territory from Russia. He spoke in Tallinn alongside Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

Rutte was answering a journalist's question about a possible Russian attack on an alliance member. He said NATO did not see an imminent threat at present but would respond if it observed a buildup of forces.

The secretary general said defence plans were in place and that the alliance intended to protect all member states' territory. He also said NATO did not intend to attack other countries.

The question also concerned the Estonian foreign minister's statement about potentially cutting Russia's access to the Gulf of Finland following an attack on the alliance. Rutte did not detail possible retaliatory measures.

Russia has repeatedly said it has no intention of attacking NATO countries. Moscow simultaneously criticises the expansion of the alliance's military presence near its borders and links additional security measures to that expansion.