NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte sees no sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin wishes to end the war in Ukraine.
"The Russian aggression shows no signs of abating. On the contrary, Mr. Putin is ramping up his rhetoric and continues to act mercilessly," Rutte stated during a press conference on Tuesday in Brussels, at the start of a meeting of foreign ministers from the Alliance.
The new NATO chief highlighted his points with examples of the use of experimental missiles on Ukrainian territory and the deployment of North Korean soldiers. "Mr. Putin is not interested in peace," Rutte added. "He is continuing his efforts to seize new territories, believing he can break Ukraine’s resolve and ours. But he is mistaken."
According to the former Dutch Prime Minister, NATO’s response to this situation should be to maintain its "unwavering support" for Ukraine.
"We all need to do more," he emphasised. "The stronger our military support for Ukraine today, the better our position at the negotiating table. And the sooner we can put an end to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine once and for all."
The outcome of the war in Ukraine remains uncertain, especially with the imminent arrival of Donald Trump in power in the United States.
In Brussels, it is not ruled out that Trump, as US President, might try to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table. He could potentially threaten to cut military aid to Ukraine if it refuses to cooperate, or threaten President Vladimir Putin with increasing this aid.
Full NATO membership
Ukraine's diplomacy emphasised that the "only true" security guarantee for Ukraine is full NATO membership, stressing this point as the foreign ministers of the Alliance convened on Tuesday in Brussels.
"We believe the only true security guarantee for Ukraine, which also acts as a deterrent against further Russian aggression towards Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine's full and complete NATO membership," stated Ukraine's diplomatic body in a communiqué.
Rutte cautiously reiterated the Alliance's principle stance. He affirmed the process leading to Ukraine's membership is "irreversible" but did not provide a timeline.
The NATO Secretary-General also condemned the "troubling" violence in Georgia on Tuesday, where thousands are protesting against the government accused of being pro-Russian.
"The reports of violence are deeply troubling and I condemn them unequivocally," Rutte said at a press conference in Brussels, urging the government to do "everything possible to promote peace and stability."
