NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of sustained support for Ukraine, urging member states to continue aiding Kyiv for the long haul to ensure it recovers territories occupied by Russia.
Speaking alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday, Rutte stated, “We need to ensure that defense aid continues to flow to Ukraine,” stressing that military and financial assistance is crucial for Ukraine’s recovery of lost territories from Russia.
Rutte’s call comes as European NATO members are increasing their contributions ahead of Donald Trump’s presidency. The former president has been vocal in his criticism of the current U.S. administration’s Ukraine aid, insisting that Europe should bear more of the responsibility. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has firmly pledged continued support for Ukraine, with some Democratic leaders echoing the sentiment to back Kyiv “for as long as it takes.”
Trump, having won the election last week, has promised to bring an end to the conflict quickly, claiming he could resolve the hostilities within 24 hours by using U.S. aid to pressure both Ukraine and Russia.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have been advancing at an alarming pace, reportedly their fastest in months, following a Ukrainian operation in Russia’s Kursk region in August. Moscow claims that Ukraine’s losses have surpassed 32,000 casualties as they struggle to hold on to contested territories.
Russian officials continue to frame the war as a Western proxy battle, with Moscow determined to achieve its national security objectives, regardless of how much aid NATO sends to Ukraine.
Both Rutte and Tusk remain staunch allies of Ukraine, highlighting the broader implications of the war on global security. Rutte pointed out that the conflict affects NATO’s mission worldwide, referencing the reported involvement of North Korean troops in Russia, a claim neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has confirmed or denied.
