Rutte: No consensus yet on Ukraine's NATO membership

General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that the alliance remains divided over Ukraine’s potential membership, though he stressed that efforts to secure a just and lasting peace continue in close coordination with the United States.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Wednesday (3 December), Rutte reiterated that there is “no unanimity within the alliance about Ukraine coming into NATO” but added that discussions are underway on how best to guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security.

“Ukraine clearly applied for membership. But we also know, as I said—and this is a statement of fact—that there is no unanimity within the alliance,” Rutte told reporters.

“So, when it comes to a future peace deal, we are discussing how, if not NATO membership, we can make sure Ukraine is protected in a way by itself, but also with help from others, so that the Russians will not try again,” he added.

The NATO chief said all member states recognise that their security is “deeply linked” to Ukraine’s fate.

“We are all working to bring the war against Ukraine to an end with a just and lasting peace,” Rutte said. “We welcome the ongoing efforts led by the United States to make this a reality.”

He added that NATO and the U.S. are “closely coordinating on all aspects of a potential future peace deal,” describing Washington’s diplomatic push as central to the process.

Rutte also addressed the absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio from the upcoming meeting, saying Rubio was “working extremely hard” on peace efforts and that his deputy, Christopher Landau, would represent the United States in his place.

“Marco Rubio is very much involved when it comes to ending the war in Ukraine. I’m in constant contact with him,” Rutte said.

“I totally accept him not being able to be here tomorrow, and I would not read anything in it.”

The press conference came as U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ways to end the conflict. Leaks of draft U.S. peace proposals have raised concerns among Ukrainian and European officials that Washington’s plan could lean towards Moscow’s demands.

Meanwhile, tensions between NATO and Russia have intensified after the Kremlin condemned remarks by the alliance’s top military officer about the possibility of a “pre-emptive strike,” calling them irresponsible and escalatory.

Rutte sought to strike a balanced tone, emphasising NATO’s commitment to peace and coordination with the U.S.

“Let’s hope we get to a point where there is a peace deal,” he said. “At the moment, it is the Americans very much pushing for that, and I commend them.”

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