Dutch premier calls Putin’s mobilization order ‘sign of panic’
Russian president’s ‘rhetoric’ on nuclear weapons ‘leaves us fairly cold,’ says Mark Rutte
ISTANBUL
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization order is a “sign of panic,” the Dutch prime minister said on Wednesday.
“An area the size of Hungary is still occupied by the Russians. It’s certainly not over. We have to keep supporting Ukraine,” Mark Rutte was quoted as saying by the Dutch broadcaster NOS.
“His (Putin’s) rhetoric on nuclear weapons is something we have heard many times before, and it leaves us fairly cold,” he added.
Earlier, in a televised address to the nation, Putin on Wednesday announced a partial mobilization in Russia.
"I consider it necessary to support the proposal of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff to declare partial mobilization in the Russian Federation," he said.
Sergei Shoigu, Russia's defense minister, said the mobilization is being carried out to control "already liberated territories" and some 300,000 reservists will be called up.
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