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Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said Brussels, as the “heart of NATO,” would respond decisively if Russia were to attack the city, declaring, “If Moscow fires a missile at Brussels, we’ll erase it from the map.”
Francken made the remarks in an interview with the Flemish-language newspaper De Morgen, where he dismissed concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin could target Belgium’s capital.
When asked if he feared a Russian strike, Francken replied, “No,” emphasizing Brussels’ strategic importance as NATO’s center.
Addressing questions about whether U.S. President Donald Trump would invoke NATO’s Article 5 in such a situation, Francken said, “Of course he would. There is a huge prejudice in Europe against the American government. Why wouldn’t he respect Article 5?”
He noted that Trump had confirmed his “hundred percent support” for NATO allies.
Francken added that he believed Putin would not dare attack Brussels and that NATO remained firmly united on defense matters.
The Belgian defense chief also warned of potential future cooperation between Russia and China against the West, suggesting that such an alliance could materialize in the coming years.
He claimed that China wanted the war in Ukraine to continue because it weakens the West, adding, “Eventually, China will inevitably try to reintegrate Taiwan. That is why the Americans want to shift their focus to the Pacific as soon as possible. They will push us to stop the Russians.”
Francken said a major Russian offensive against the Baltic states was unlikely due to their NATO membership, adding that Europe would soon have 600 F-35 fighter jets. “The Russians fear them because they cannot detect them,” he said.
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