We will see how it will develop, step by step – announced NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, referring to the recent telephone conversation of US President Donald Trump with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, during which the potential end of the war in Ukraine was discussed. As Rutte explained, it is crucial for Ukraine to be involved in everything that is related to it.
On Thursday, Mark Rutte talked to journalists before the meeting of European defense ministers at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. There are, among others session regarding deterrent and defense against potential enemies and an informal meeting of the NATO Council with the participation of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Ruster Umerowa and the High EU representative for foreign affairs and Kai Kallas security.
Rutte was asked to comment on recent telephone conversation of US President Donald Trump with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, What – as the journalist described – for many looks “like the beginning of betrayal towards Ukraine”. – What we saw yesterday were the actual statements from Washington, including (…), how long a conversation with Mr. President Zelanski was. We'll see how it will develop, step by step – he said.
– Of course, this is crucial for us to talk about Ukraine, so that Ukraine is as involved in everything that is related to it – he added.
NATO boss Mark RuttePhoto from February 13, 2025Tvn24
“We must make sure that Ukraine will be in the best position”
When asked if Trump and Putin's conversation means the beginning of peaceful negotiations, Rutte assessed: – This is clearly the impression that it was a good conversation. We all want peace in Ukraine. Of course, we must make sure that Ukraine will be in the best possible position. This is crucial when an agreement is reached that it will be permanent. Putin will know that this is the end, that he can never try to take a fragment of Ukraine again.
As Rutte pointed out, according to him, the US president and his administration remembers this. – Today, in the coming days, in the coming weeks we will coordinate our cooperation – he explained.
– We need to make sure that we will focus on large issues. A big issue of number one is to make sure that the talks will start, that Ukraine will have such a position that Putin will know that he must come to the table – he concluded.
Source of the main photo: Tvn24