"We are aware of reports that Russia is considering the possibility of placing nuclear weapons in space," he said.
According to Rutte, Moscow's outdated technologies in space are inferior to Western ones, and that is why Russia may seek to compensate by creating new threats.
"Developing nuclear weapons in space is a way for Russia to improve its capabilities. This is very worrying," the NATO chief said.
Rutte explained that such weapons would probably not be directed against the Earth, but would pose a threat to satellites. Their destruction could cause chaos, as many ground-based systems depend on satellite communications and navigation.
The NATO chief also warned of the danger of violating the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which provides for the exclusively peaceful use of outer space. This document has been signed and ratified by most countries, including Russia and the United States.
"In recent years, space has become increasingly crowded, dangerous and unpredictable," Rutte said.
“We know that the competition in space is fierce and is becoming more and more intense. And not only in commercial terms. It affects our entire security.”
At the same time, in March, he emphasized that NATO members are lagging behind Russia and China in weapons production.
"We need to produce more weapons," Rutte said at the White House.
“We are not doing enough. Neither in the United States nor in Europe. We are lagging behind the Russians and the Chinese.”
On March 7, U.S. President Donald Trump called for the abolition of nuclear weapons and noted that he had made significant progress on this issue with Russia. He also discussed disarmament with Chinese President Xi Jinping.