Putin running out of money, troops, ideas - Mark Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for more pressure on Putin to end the Russia Ukrainian war adding that the Russian president was running out of money, troops and ideas.

Speaking at a press conference alongside British PM Keir Starmer, his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen and Volodymr Zelenskyy after a meeting of the "coalition of the willing" in London on Friday, Rutte hailed the sanctions imposed on Moscow by the U.S.

He said it showed that President Trump was "absolutely committed" to ending the war and that it would "significantly increase pressure on Putin" to negotiate.

The newly elected Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi also joined the meeting of the 'coalition of the willing' for the first time. 

Starmer said of the development, "The fact she chose this forum... and was so clear and powerful in her words I think emphasises that that coalition and the ability to bring together so many countries here is very important,".

Frederiksen in her speech said that Putin doesn't want to stop the killing, but reassured Ukraine that Europe was strongly behind it.

"Our promise to you, dear Volodymyr - and to Ukraine and to all Europeans - is that we are willing to continue." she said.

Volodymyr Zelensky, at the same conference thanked the European leaders for their support so far saying that the meeting was very important.

Meanwhile top Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev has reacted to sanctions imposed by Washington on Moscow calling them "unfriendly".

Dmitriev who is in the US for more talks with American representatives says: "Sanctions and unfriendly measures will have absolutely no impact on Russia's economy".

"Potential for economic cooperation between Russia and the US is still there, but it will be realised only if Russia's interests are respected," Dmitriev says.

He however has failed to disclose who he will be meeting with from President Trump's government.

However he said that the fact that his meeting was not cancelled is a glimmer of hope in Washington - Moscow ties after announcement of sanctions.

Zelenskyy and Starmer meet

Zelenskyy and British PM, Keir Starmer were met by a cheering crowd of Ukrainians, some from St Mary's Ukrainian School, which has welcomed displaced Ukrainian children into Britain.

Zelenskyy had earlier met with Prince Charles III at Windsor Castle as he arrived London on his Europe wide tour to drum up support for Kyiv in the face of constant Russian strikes. 

He also met with Starmer at 10 Downing Street in a private one on one meeting, where he thanked the UK for its support since the start of the war and most importantly now. 

The Prime Minister responded by praising Zelenskyy for his willingness of courage and determination, echoing his idea that Putin was unwilling to end the war.

"What we see from Putin as an absolute unwillingness to engage". he said.

Zelenskiy and Starmer will be joined by NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for the Coalition call, with other leaders joining remotely. 

Meanwhile the Kremlin has reacted to reports that Ukraine continues to seek missiles and other weapons in their war against Russia. 

President Vladimir Putin while addressing reporters on Thursday warned that the consequences of using such weapons would be dire. 

"However, if such weapons are used to strike Russian Federation territory the response will be very serious, if not to say overwhelming. Let them think about it." he said.

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