KYIV, Ukraine (Chatnewstv.com) — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Friday vowed that the alliance’s support for Ukraine would “continue to grow,” as he visited Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just days after a major summit in Washington.
“Three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to stand strong,” Rutte said at a joint press conference. “And your friends and partners in NATO continue to stand with you. Our support is unwavering and continues to grow.”
The NATO chief pointed to a new Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List — known as PURL — that he said has already delivered $1.5 billion worth of equipment in less than a month, including air defense systems and ammunition.
“Further packages will follow,” he said.
Rutte added that allies are also investing in Ukraine’s defense industry, citing the country’s innovation with drones. “Allies can learn a lot from Ukraine,” he said.
Zelenskyy welcomed NATO’s commitments and praised what he called a “strong and united signal of support” from the alliance. He said Ukraine’s independence and survival depend on continued international backing.
The NATO chief also highlighted joint training efforts in Germany and Poland, as well as the role of the NATO-Ukraine Council and the alliance’s office in Kyiv. “We are together because we share common values — freedom, democracy, and the rule of law,” he said. “Our security is interlinked.”
Rutte said the Washington talks earlier this week, which included U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, were focused on finding a path toward ending the war. He noted that Trump has made breaking the deadlock with Russian President Vladimir Putin a priority.
“Robust security guarantees will be essential,” Rutte said.
“So that when the time comes for Ukraine to enter a bilateral meeting, you will have the unmistakable force of your friends behind you.”
As Ukraine prepares to mark its Independence Day, Rutte saluted the country’s resilience. “Your people have seen terrible horrors and endured so many sleepless nights as Russia has continued to bombard homes and hospitals,” he said. “We support you and salute you. Slava Ukraini.”
Editor: Gabriel Ani
