Russian President Vladimir Putin sharply criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during his year-end press conference on December 19, 2025, dismissing NATO’s rhetoric about preparing for war with Russia and questioning Rutte’s professional competence.

Responding directly to Rutte’s recent warnings that Europe must prepare for the possibility of a large-scale conflict with Russia, Putin argued that such claims are disconnected from official U.S. policy, which underpins NATO’s strategic direction.

“What are you talking about when you talk about preparing for war with Russia?” Putin said. “Can you read? Have you read the U.S. National Security Strategy? It doesn’t mention Russia as an adversary. The U.S. is the main backer of NATO. And yet the Secretary General of NATO is preparing it for war? It’s just a lack of basic professional competence.”

Putin pointed to the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy, which places primary emphasis on China and domestic security challenges rather than explicitly naming Russia as the top adversary. He framed this omission as evidence of inconsistency within the Western alliance and accused NATO leadership of inflating threats to justify militarization.

Rutte’s earlier remarks, delivered on December 11, warned that Europe must be ready for a prolonged and potentially large-scale conflict, drawing comparisons to World War II–level mobilization. NATO officials have defended those comments as a response to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, cyber operations, and other hybrid threats across Europe.

Putin’s rebuttal highlights growing rhetorical clashes between Moscow and NATO leadership as diplomatic efforts continue alongside military posturing. While NATO maintains that deterrence is essential to prevent further aggression, the Kremlin continues to portray the alliance as divided, alarmist, and disconnected from its own stated strategic documents.