The Kremlin on Sunday sharply criticized recent remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urging alliance members to prepare for a large-scale conflict with Russia, calling the statements “irresponsible” and detached from historical reality.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov was responding to comments made by Rutte in a speech on Dec. 11, in which the NATO chief warned that member states should be ready for a possible war on a scale comparable to the conflicts endured by “our grandparents or great-grandparents.” Rutte also claimed that NATO could become “Russia’s next target.”

Peskov dismissed the remarks, saying the NATO secretary general “simply does not understand what he is talking about.” He added that Rutte’s statements appeared to reflect the views of “a person from the generation that has forgotten what World War II was like.”

The Kremlin spokesman stressed that Russia has a deep historical memory of the devastation caused by war and places great value on the legacy of its forefathers, particularly the sacrifices made during World War II, which he said were instrumental in saving Europe from fascism.

Peskov’s comments come amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO following the conflict in Ukraine and increased military activity along NATO’s eastern flank.

In an effort to counter Western accusations, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently stated that Moscow is prepared to “document in any form” its commitment not to attack Europe, seeking to reassure European nations despite ongoing mistrust.

Relations between Russia and NATO remain strained, with both sides trading accusations over security threats and military intentions, while rhetoric surrounding the risk of broader conflict continues to intensify. (ILKHA)