NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte has expressed that he remains “positive” about the US negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.
This came as he gave a lecture at the Warsaw School of Economics.
When asked about the US-led peace talks with Russia and Ukraine, he remarked that he is “glad that President Trump broke the deadlock.”
“It will be a step by step process. NATO gets regular updates. I know the Europeans are as much as possible involved. But in the end, of course, these are conducted by the Americans with the Ukrainians and the Russians.
“We always have been very clear. We need to bring Ukraine to a durable, a lasting peace. Vladimir Vladimirovich should never try again to attack Ukraine.”
Mark Rutte
Also, Rutte made mention of the Franco-British initiative to offer security guarantees for Ukraine, saying that Macron and Starmer are “working hard to bring together European countries to potentially help maintaining peace in Ukraine.”
“The most important thing is that these discussions are now taking place, but obviously you first need a peace deal before you can keep a peace. You can only keep a peace if there is a peace to keep, and that is exactly the process we are now in.”
Mark Rutte
Rutte also clearly rejected President Vladimir Putin’s demand to have a say in a broader security landscape in Europe.
“He has absolutely no say in how we organise ourselves within the 32 alliance. Absolutely no say at all.
“And I hate this whole idea of having a sort of two tier NATO that you have somehow the eight countries on the eastern flank, different from the other 24 allies.”
Mark Rutte
Rutte Asserts NATO’s Significance To Global Security
Additionally, Rutte strongly backed the role of the NATO alliance.
He acknowledged that there are questions about the strength of the transatlantic bond and the United States’ commitment to European security, saying that there are difficult debates between Europe and America over trade and tariffs, and there are calls to revive ideas of European autonomy.
“Let me be absolutely clear: this is not the time to go it alone, not for Europe or North America. The global security challenges are too great for any of us to face on our own.
“When it comes to keeping Europe and North America safe, there is no alternative to NATO. Without the US, UK, Turkey, Canada, Norway and Iceland, it is impossible to imagine the defence of Europe, and nothing can replace America’s nuclear umbrella, the ultimate guarantor of our security.”
Mark Rutte
Rutte also added that he was “absolutely confident that United States remains committed to NATO and to Article Five.”
Rutte urged European countries to step up their defence and spending responsibilities within the alliance. “The US commitment to Nato comes with a clear expectation that European allies and Canada take more responsibility for our shared security,” he averred.
He added that the alliance will look at this issue again during the upcoming summit in the Hague in June.
“A fair NATO means all allies doing their fair share, and a more lethal Nato means that where we will always remain a defensive alliance, we will always be ready and able to do whatever it takes to stay safe.”
Mark Rutte
He then also noted a “sea change” in spending over the last year alone, as he acknowledged Poland’s position at the top NATO spender at 4.7% GDP, but also gives credit to other countries that have committed “to considerably ramp up spending.”
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