Russia has been warned: A devastating response follows; "The Darkest Threat"

Rutte spoke during a visit to Warsaw, where he made a brief statement with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Tusk said that it is important to be ready for any possible outcome of the negotiations between Russia and the United States on ending the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for three years.

NATO member countries along the alliance's eastern border, especially Poland and the Baltic states, are extremely worried that the negotiations could end in a deal that favors Russia. They fear that such an outcome would enable Russian President Vladimir Putin to restore his military capabilities and threaten other countries in the region in the coming years.

"Putin must not think that he can go unpunished"

"Neither Putin nor anyone else should think that they could get away with something like that," Rutte said.

"If someone misjudges the situation and thinks that they can attack Poland or any other member of the alliance, they will be met by the full force of this strong alliance. Our reaction will be devastating. This must be completely clear to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and everyone who wants to attack us," Rutte said.

Rutte's warning comes at a time when President Donald Trump's return to power has shaken the security assumptions that have been the foundation of the European-American alliance for decades. That is why Europe is increasingly trying to reduce its dependence on American security protection and is planning ambitious investments in its own military industry and armaments.

"Russia is still the darkest threat to NATO"

In a recent meeting with Rutte at the White House, Trump stated that he did not believe that a peace deal for Ukraine would lead to Russia attacking other countries.

However, Rutte has previously warned that Russia may be capable of attacking European soil again by the end of this decade.

"Let's not forget that Russia remains the most significant and darkest threat to our alliance. Let's also not forget that Russia is transitioning to a war economy - and that will strongly affect its ability to build up its military," Rutte said on Wednesday.