New NATO Secretary General visits Ukraine and meets with President Zelensky
Photo: Telegram / Official channel of the President of Ukraine - Volodymyr Zelensky
The new Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Mark Rutte, arrived on a visit to the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. The NATO leader held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The NATO press service reports this.
It should be noted that this is Rutte's first official visit to Ukraine as NATO Secretary General.
As AFP reports, Rutte spoke to journalists in the Ukrainian capital with Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Reuters, the new head of NATO discussed the situation on the ground and Kyiv's plan for victory in the fight against Russia with the Ukrainian leader.
Photo: Telegram / Official channel of the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelensky
At the same time, during the negotiations, Zelensky indicated that he would like to see the allies shoot down Iranian missiles and drones attacking Ukraine, just as they did during the attacks on Israel. The president of Ukraine once again called on the Allies to allow Kyiv to carry out strikes on the territory deep into Russia.
Photo: Telegram / Official channel of the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelensky
Rutte once again emphasized that "NATO stands by Ukraine for your security and ours." He promised to help strengthen Western support for Ukraine. He expressed confidence that he could work with any future US presidential administration, regardless of the outcome of the November election.
Photo: Telegram / Official channel of the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelensky
The former Prime Minister of the Netherlands had already visited Ukraine earlier. On March 1, 2024, in Kharkiv, Volodymyr Zelensky and Mark Rutte held negotiations in narrow, extended formats and a meeting of the military cabinet. They also signed an agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands.
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It should be noted that on October 1, Mark Rutte officially began the Secretary General of NATO duties, replacing Jens Stoltenberg in this position.
After the inauguration ceremony at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Mark Rutte emphasized that his main task would be to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
The Alliance's new Secretary General declared that Ukraine is engaged in a war of self-defense. Under international law, it is justified in defending itself, even if it means taking action beyond its borders (in reference to strikes on Russian territory).
The head of the North Atlantic Alliance also stated the need to continue supporting Ukraine and bring it closer to membership in the Alliance.
