The exercises, named 'Resolute Warrior', are aimed at strengthening the alliance’s rapid response capabilities and improving coordination along NATO's eastern flank.

They were held from November 1 to 14 near Latvia’s capital, Riga, and involved 3,500 troops and 1,000 tanks, helicopters, drones and armored vehicles from Poland, Canada, Spain and other NATO members.

Speaking after meeting the crew of a Polish PT-91 Twardy tank, Rutte said that he was proud that Polish soldiers were taking part in the maneuvers and that their involvement was of great importance.

Rutte’s visit to see the military drills followed a trip the secretary general made to Poland on Wednesday, during which he met with senior figures in Warsaw, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs also spoke to forces taking part in Resolute Warrior and said he was grateful that his country’s Polish allies were there.

Up to 260 Polish soldiers are stationed in Latvia as part of NATO’s multinational brigade in the Baltic country, which makes up part of the military alliance’s easternmost frontier and borders both Russia and Russian-allied Belarus.