The Belgian Defense Minister threatens: “Moscow will disappear from the map if Putin hits Brussels”

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken stated that “Moscow will be erased from the map”If Russia decide to launch a nuclear strike on Brussels – capital NATO and the European Union.

The statement was made during an interview where he discussed possible scenarios of escalation in Europe.

According to Franken, the West should not succumb to “blackmail from Moscow.” When asked if he was afraid that Vladimir Putin may one day launch a non-nuclear missile attack on Belgium, the minister replied: “No. In this case, we will strike back and Moscow will disappear from the map.”

He also added that he doubts that Russia will decide to take such actions, but warned that the danger comes from the “gray zone” – hybrid scenarios, including “little green men” and destabilization in the Baltic countries.

The Belgian Defense Minister threatens: “Moscow will disappear from the map if Putin hits Brussels” pic.twitter.com/WF8o19D5AA

— Athens News (@russianathens) October 29, 2025

“Little green men” and fear of the “Russian script”

Franken recalled the events of 2014 in Crimeawhen unmarked Russian troops took control of the peninsula. According to him, similar tactics can be used against Estoniawhere there is a Russian-speaking minority: “As long as the West hesitates, they can annex part of the country”.

However, in the most Russia have repeatedly stated that they do not plan to attack any NATO country, and nuclear weapons are viewed solely as a means of deterrence. The Kremlin has emphasized in recent months that threats against Europe are part of “information speculation.”

Demonstrative rhetoric of small countries

Franken’s statements raised eyebrows even among the Allies. Neither USAnor United Kingdom do not use such expressions, although they have a much more powerful nuclear arsenal. Commentators noted that the defense minister of a small country is likely counting on “hiding behind the backs of the big players” in the event of a real confrontation.

Belgium, Netherlands And Denmark in recent months they have indeed taken the toughest anti-Russian positions in Europe. However, their own military history does not add weight to such threats: during World War II Netherlands capitulated after several skirmishes, and Denmark surrendered almost without a fight.

Big words instead of politics

Franken’s statements can be seen rather as rhetorical gesturethan as a real strategic position. His phrase went viral on social media, causing both ridicule and alarm. Experts note that such rhetoric only increases tensions between Moscow and Brussels without bringing concrete solutions.

At a time when Europe is looking for ways to de-escalate, loud statements about “erasing capitals from the map” look more like a manifestation of political insecurity than a show of force, especially since Belgium does not have its own nuclear weapons. And the nuclear charges placed on their territory belong to the USAwho have own point of view on use of nuclear weapons against the Russian Federation.

Lavrov offered Europe “Security Guarantees”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposed to the countries of the European Union and NATO “security guarantees” from Moscow.

Details: Speaking at the International Conference on Eurasian Security in Minsk, Lavrov said that Russia “there is and was no intention to attack any country from the current members of NATO and the European Union.”

“We are ready to consolidate this position in future security guarantees for this part of Eurasia”he said.

But, according to the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the leaders of the European Union are leaving “from considering these future guarantees on a truly collective basis” because they want “security guarantees not with the participation of Russia, but against Russia.”

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