NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, during his first visit to Kyiv, emphasized that Ukraine's security is crucial to NATO's, reaffirming NATO's support for Ukraine's future membership while President Zelensky urged Western allies for increased military assistance against Russia.
During his first visit to Kyiv as NATO chief, Mark Rutte told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "your security matters for ours." He reaffirmed NATO's pledge that Ukraine would one day join the alliance, while Zelensky urged Western allies for urgent military support similar to that provided to Israel.
Rutte, in a joint news conference, emphasized NATO's strong backing for Kyiv, noting that his first foreign visit as NATO chief underscored this support. He added that "Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before, and it will continue along this path until it secures NATO membership."
Zelensky expressed his desire for Kyiv's allies to intercept Russian missiles and drones attacking Ukraine, similar to how Israel's allies responded to Tehran's missile attacks. "We are working with them, at present they are not ready to do this," he said.
He also renewed his plea for Western allies to permit Ukraine to launch deep strikes inside Russia using supplied weapons, criticizing the delay in decision-making. "Without long-range weapons, we cannot stop Russia, which is using those weapons against us, destroying everything," he stated. Allies, cautious of Russia’s reaction, have hesitated on this move.
Zelensky also addressed Ukraine's recent withdrawal from Vuhledar amid ongoing Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky emphasized the need to protect soldiers' lives, saying, "Lives (of soldiers) need to be saved because they are our people, they are citizens of Ukraine."
Putin launched the full-scale invasion in February 2022, citing Kyiv's NATO ambitions, which Moscow sees as a threat. In Kyiv, Rutte reaffirmed that Moscow cannot dictate which countries join NATO.
NATO officials expect Rutte to continue supporting Ukraine, pushing for increased defense spending, and keeping the U.S. involved in European security. As Dutch prime minister, Rutte approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Now, he faces challenges, including a potential Trump return and demands for more reinforcements from eastern Europe.
Read next
13:03
NATO - Türkiye
Türkiye commemorates 73 years of NATO membership, emphasising its vital role in global security. As a key ally since 1952, Ankara continues to strengthen the alliance through its strategic position and military capabilities, reinforcing shared values amid evolving Euro-Atlantic security challenges.
15:01
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has become the first European leader to express willingness to deploy peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, making the pledge ahead of an emergency summit in Paris to discuss Europe’s role in securing a ceasefire.
13:54
Ukraine - Germany
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has criticized the U.S. administration for making early concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of potential Ukraine peace negotiations.
18:34
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte supports U.S. President Trump’s call for a more balanced sharing of Ukraine aid between the U.S. and European allies.
16:04
Jens Stoltenberg, the former NATO Secretary General, has been appointed as the country’s new finance minister.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment