Following Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken's declaration that "Moscow will probably be wiped off the map" if Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin decides to assault a NATO capital reminiscent of Brussels, the Russian Embassy in Belgium has issued an announcement calling Francken's remarks irresponsible.

Supply: Francken in an interview with Belgian newspaper De Morgen, as reported by European Pravda; Russian Embassy in Belgium

Particulars: Francken emphasised that Western international locations should not permit themselves to be intimidated.

Requested whether or not he feared that Putin would possibly at some point launch a non-nuclear missile on Brussels, Francken replied: "No, as a result of then he will probably be putting on the coronary heart of NATO, and we are going to wipe Moscow off the map."

The Russian Embassy in Belgium has issued an announcement describing Francken's phrases as "provocative" and "irresponsible".

Quote: "Francken's adventurism is, regrettably, an embodiment of a militarist deviation that’s gaining ever extra momentum within the European celebration of struggle."

Francken mentioned within the interview that he doubts Putin would dare to launch a missile on Brussels.

Quote: "I'm extra involved about situations within the gray zone: little 'inexperienced males' in Estonia inciting the Russian-speaking minority towards 'the Nazi regime'. Earlier than you recognize it, they'll have annexed a part of Estonia." ["Green men" are unmarked Russian soldiers or operatives who appear in foreign territories to carry out covert operations in order to destabilise or annex regions without overtly declaring military action – ed.]

Background:

• Russia has repeatedly carried out provocations violating NATO international locations' airspace, most notably an incursion into Estonian airspace in mid-September.
• Earlier, Normal Alexus Grynkewich, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, mentioned that the Alliance's agency response to Russia's airspace violations in Poland and Estonia has compelled Moscow to behave extra cautiously.

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