In an interview with Welt am Sonntag published on Saturday, Rutte said: "When Russia uses dangerous and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, our citizens must know there is no reason to panic, because NATO possesses a strong nuclear deterrent."
He emphasised the importance of public discussions within NATO countries about nuclear deterrence, adding that it helps societies "understand how it contributes to our shared security."
On Russia, he added: "And Putin must know that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be started."
The comments follow recent Russian exercises involving its strategic nuclear forces in October, conducted alongside NATO’s annual nuclear drills in Europe.
Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country's president Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned the West of potential nuclear consequences.
Of NATO’s 32 member states, three are nuclear powers: the United States, France and the United Kingdom.
(ał)
Source: PAP, Welt am Sonntag