NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made his first official foreign visit to Kyiv on 3 October, just days after assuming his new role. This visit highlights the continued importance of Ukraine to the Alliance, especially in the face of ongoing aggression from Russia.
Before becoming NATO Secretary General, Rutte served as the Dutch Prime Minister and was known as a strong ally of Kyiv. He played a key role in initiatives such as providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Upon taking office on 1 October, Rutte had already made it clear that Ukraine would remain a top priority for him due to Russia’s ongoing aggression.
During his visit, Rutte met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two leaders discussed Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership, the current situation on the battlefield, and the country’s immediate defense needs.
President Zelenskyy commented on the visit, stating, “Mark Rutte’s first visit as NATO leader is to Ukraine. This is truly important as it shows where the defense of our shared values in the Euro-Atlantic region is currently taking place.” He emphasized that full NATO membership is still Ukraine’s main goal and that the discussions also covered Ukraine’s Victory Plan, the situation on the battlefield, and the current needs of Ukrainian units, particularly in terms of air defense.
Zelenskyy stressed the urgency of implementing all agreed-upon air defense arrangements before winter, including those discussed at the NATO summit in Washington. This visit by Rutte serves as a strong reminder of the Alliance’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of ongoing aggression from Russia.
Read More @ euromaidanpress.com