Mark Rutte and Volodymyr Zelensky Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka/ AP
Mark Rutte, the new Secretary General of NATO, arrived in Kyiv on Thursday, just two days after assuming his position, to once again assure Ukraine of continued Western support, as Ukrainian forces face challenges on the front lines, AFP and dpa report.
The former Dutch Prime Minister met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit. At a joint press conference, Rutte emphasized, “It is my privilege and priority to advance this Western support so that Ukraine can win against Russia.”
Rutte also stated that Ukraine “is closer than ever to NATO” and will continue its path until it becomes a full member of the alliance.
Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that Ukrainians deserve to join NATO, and that Moscow must be sent a “clear signal” that security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe are inevitable.
Zelensky also stressed that Ukraine urgently needs defense systems and long-range weapons, but the process of their delivery has been delayed.
This visit comes as concerns grow about the scale and duration of Western support for Ukraine, especially given the rising costs and the risk of conflict escalation. The political climate in the U.S., Ukraine’s key ally, could dramatically shift after the November 2024 presidential election, should Donald Trump return to power.
