NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said after a meeting of foreign ministers of the alliance's member countries that it is good that peace talks to end the war in Ukraine are continuing, but that it is essential to ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.
The military alliance chief's statements came as NATO foreign ministers were arriving at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, where they were discussing NATO priorities and security issues, particularly the war in Ukraine.
"How do we ensure that Ukraine remains as strong as possible? The peace talks are continuing. That is positive. But, at the same time, we need to ensure that, as they continue – and we don't know when they will end – Ukraine is in the strongest possible position to continue the fight, to resist the Russians, but also to be in the strongest possible position when the peace talks reach the stage where the parties sit down at the table," he said.
He also commented on the statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin, "I will not react to everything that Putin says. We have seen him dressed in military uniform, like a soldier at the front, but not at the front. Two days ago he was quite far from the front line. So, I will not react to every statement he makes."
Rutte also said he is in constant contact with US Secretary of State Mark Rubio.
At the end of the statement, he stressed that it is very important that the peace process continues and that "we hope it will bring results."
"And if it takes too long or doesn't lead to results, the best way to put pressure on the Russians is through two things. First, to make sure that the Russians understand that the supply of weapons to Ukraine will not stop. That is exactly what is happening today, thanks to the US and Europe. The US is sending vital equipment to Ukraine, paid for by Canada and European allies, but Europe and Canada are also doing a lot bilaterally. Second, to make sure that the economic sanctions hit and are effective. That is happening," Mark Rutte asserted. /Telegraph/
