Rutte: Russia Wants To Appear As A Bear, But It Is A Garden Snail

• 13.02.2026, 16:59

NATO Secretary General recalled Russia's losses at the front.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Russia wants to appear as a mighty bear in the war against Ukraine, but in reality it is a garden snail.

Rutte said this, as written by "European Pravda" at the Munich Security Conference.

The NATO Secretary General again recalled Russia's "impressive" losses on the frontline. Rutte said the Russians lost 35,000 soldiers last December and 30,000 in January.

"They want us to think of the Russians as a mighty bear, but we can say that in Ukraine they are moving at the speed of a garden snail. And let's not forget that. Let's not fall into the trap of Russian propaganda," he said.

The NATO secretary-general also recalled the February 12 meeting of the alliance's defense ministers, noting that he saw "broad support" for continued aid to Ukraine.