Ivo Daalder, the U.S. ambassador to NATO in former President Barack Obama’s first term, told Newsmax on Thursday that a strong and unmistakable message must be sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin following Moscow’s latest strikes in western Ukraine — attacks that came dangerously close to the borders of several NATO countries.

Daalder told “The Record With Greta Van Susteren” that the strikes, which hit near Romania, Slovakia, and Poland, underscore the urgency of deterring Russia before the conflict escalates further.

“This is just how Mr. Putin operates,” Daalder said. “He started this war, and he’s bent on continuing it until he gets what he wants — or until somebody convinces him he cannot achieve his goals through the force of arms.”

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