Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has issued a sharp warning to Moscow, declaring that any missile attack on Brussels would prompt an immediate and overwhelming NATO response.
«If Putin launches a missile at Brussels, we will wipe Moscow off the map,» Francken told De Morgen, underscoring NATO’s commitment to collective defence under Article 5.
He dismissed ongoing speculation about the United States’ dedication to the alliance under President Donald Trump.
«The bias against the American government is unbelievable,» he said. «Trump has clearly stated that America will continue to support its NATO allies one hundred percent. If a cruise missile hit Brussels, there’s no question about NATO’s response — and Putin knows it.»
Despite his strong words, Francken cautioned against underestimating Russia’s military strength.
«Russia has expanded its war economy. It now produces four times more ammunition than all of NATO combined. Europe still lacks a unified command structure,» he noted.
The minister added that Russia’s difficulties in Ukraine stem from facing Western-backed forces.
«They are fighting against the entire West. Ukraine is surviving because of our weapons, ammunition and funding. Without that, they would have been defeated long ago,» he said.
Francken also warned of the growing alignment between Moscow and Beijing, suggesting China benefits from a prolonged conflict.
«China wants the war to drag on because it weakens the West. It buys Russian resources in bulk, supplies weapons, and even supports Putin’s cooperation with North Korea,» he said.
While dismissing the likelihood of a Russian strike on NATO members in the Baltics, Francken highlighted Europe’s strengthening air capabilities.
«Soon there will be six hundred F-35 jets stationed in Europe. The Russians fear them — they can’t detect them,» he added.
Francken also took the article to his X (formerly Twitter) profile, posting a screenshot and saying that the public gave too much attention to a “classic clickbait title”.
