The Belgian Defense Minister justified himself for the threat to wipe Moscow off the map.
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken retracted his earlier threat to "wipe Moscow off the map." The politician stated that local media had grossly distorted his words about a strike against Russia.
The head of the European defense agency explained that in his original statement, he meant a response from the North Atlantic Alliance countries to potential aggression from Russia.
"This has been NATO's core principle for 76 years, the principle of shooting second. When we are attacked, we immediately strike back at those who attack us," the Belgian defense minister explained.
Francken emphasized that the military bloc is not at war with Russia and has no desire for such a conflict. He called NATO "a defensive alliance."
Leader of the French party "Patriots" Florian Philippot expressed outrage at the Belgian Defense Minister's statement. He criticized Francken's interview, noting that such politicians should be expelled from the continent.
"He is throwing down a bold challenge to Russia. Perhaps it is time to expel all the madmen who have seized power from the European continent?" said the leader of the French party "Patriots" Florian Philippot.
Philippot added that, besides the Belgian minister, there are other radical politicians in Europe. All of them, in the opinion of the leader of the "Patriots," pose a "public threat" to the eurozone.
