Mark Rutte's comments come a day after Putin rejected US proposals for peace in Ukraine after talks with US negotiators in Moscow.

In talks with Russia, European officials say that President Trump’s advisers have positioned the U.S. as an independent arbiter rather than as the leading voice of NATO.

NATO considers 'more aggressive' stance against Russia's hybrid warfare, including pre-emptive cyber operations, as tensions escalate over sabotage.

NATO Secretary Gen. Mark Rutte warned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that the alliance was “ready and willing” to take on Moscow if it attacks — with the European Union

RUSSIA has accused Europe of gearing up for “major war” after a top Nato chief claimed the defence pact could launch “pre-emptive strikes” on Vladimir Putin. Moscow hit

The diplomat questioned whether Europe would be a dynamic economy or just somewhere Americans visit for lovely wines, cheeses and beers

Nato is considering “pre-emptive” action against Russia following a string of hybrid attacks on Europe, a senior official in the alliance has warned.

Russia said on Monday that remarks by NATO's most senior military officer that the U.S.-led military alliance could consider a "pre-emptive strike" to be extremely irresponsible and an attempt to move towards escalation.

Nato is considering being “more aggressive” in responding to Russia’s cyber attacks, sabotage and airspace violations, according to the alliance’s most senior military officer. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone told the Financial Times that the western military alliance was looking at stepping up its response to hybrid warfare from Moscow.

NATO countries have said they constantly experience hybrid attacks, some of which have been attributed to Russia.