Overview
- Speaking at a defense industry forum in Romania, the NATO secretary general urged allies to prepare for a long-term confrontation with Russia.
- The exchange has intensified rhetoric on both sides, with no new military measures reported in the coverage.
- Leonid Slutsky, head of the Duma’s international affairs committee, accused Mark Rutte of deliberate lying and stoking what he called Russophobic hysteria.
- Duma deputy Leonid Ivlev called the warning anecdotal, asserted that Russia threatens no one, and accused NATO of aggressive activity near Russia’s borders.
- RIA Novosti highlighted dissent from retired Royal Navy commodore Steve Jermy, who said the idea that NATO could successfully fight Russia is a fantasy.