New NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made his first official trip to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and pledged continued support for the country in its war with Russia. Rutte vowed to help shore up Western support for Ukraine, condemning Russia’s illegal war and highlighting Ukraine’s right to defend itself.
Rutte also announced that NATO had taken recent steps to support Ukraine, including €40 billion in funding assistance, bilateral security agreements, and the formation of a new NATO command to coordinate assistance and training. Zelenskyy and Rutte discussed Ukraine’s “victory plan” ahead of a NATO meeting in Germany, focusing on the country’s need for more armaments and long-range weapons.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of cooperation in combatting the Russian air threat, particularly in light of recent attacks like the glide bomb strike on a residential building in Kharkiv that injured at least 12 people, including a three-year-old girl. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has been a frequent target of aerial attacks throughout the ongoing war.
Rutte and Zelenskyy called for increased support for Ukraine’s air defense capabilities before the onset of winter, highlighting the need for joint work and defense strategies to save lives and protect Ukrainian civilians. The meeting between the two leaders underscored NATO’s commitment to standing with Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
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