NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently stated that European allies are committed to playing a significant role in achieving peace in Ukraine. Despite the upcoming bilateral talks between the United States and Russia, Rutte believes that Ukraine will have a seat at the negotiating table.
Rutte emphasized the importance of Ukraine's involvement in any peace deal, stating that it is common sense for the country to be a part of the discussions concerning its future. He also noted that while Europe is willing to step up, American support remains crucial for ensuring stability in the region.
During emergency talks in Paris, European leaders discussed strategies to support the peace process in Ukraine. There were discussions about the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine post a peace agreement, with Rutte highlighting the need for US backup to enable such efforts.
Regarding the US-Russia talks scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, Rutte stressed the importance of NATO and Europe being relevant at the negotiating table. He expressed confidence that European nations are stepping up to play a more active role in the peace process.
Rutte underscored the significance of reaching a lasting peace agreement that is not susceptible to challenges from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He mentioned that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shares this view, emphasizing the need for a stable relationship with Russia.
While Ukraine's potential entry into the NATO alliance is a topic of discussion, Rutte indicated that the primary focus is on achieving lasting peace with Russia. He acknowledged that Kyiv is on the path to NATO membership but emphasized the importance of prioritizing peace negotiations with Russia.
