Day two of NATO North Atlantic Council meeting: Secretary General Rutte's closing remarks

Following the meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told the press that he had received signals from U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and other allies indicating that Canada and Europe should take on more security responsibilities.

He stated that a certain consensus had been reached over the past two days, emphasizing that the Alliance was more united than ever and needed now more than ever.

Rutte highlighted that the commitments were practical, given the direct threat from Russia. He assured that the allies were fully prepared, stating that they had everything needed to deter and prevent aggression. He also expressed the belief that no one would want to make the mistake of attacking them.

In addition, Rutte stated that the allies have agreed to invest more in defense and to do so as quickly as possible. NATO members are now working to remove bureaucratic obstacles in order to act more efficiently and address the needs of the defense sector.

“Sustainable peace for Ukraine” – ensuring Putin never attempts to seize Ukrainian territory again

In response to a question about how Rutte envisions "sustainable peace for Ukraine," the NATO Secretary General explained that, in his view, it should be a peace in which Putin would never again attempt to seize even one square kilometer of Ukrainian land. He added that this peace would be ensured by deterrence and defense measures, making another attack on Ukraine impossible.

He added that the efforts of many NATO member states are aimed precisely at providing Ukraine with what it needs to continue its resistance. Mr. Rutte also mentioned the efforts of the “coalition of the willing,” led by France and Britain.

Speaking about the outcome of the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, Rutte reminded that NATO has pledged to provide Kyiv with €20 billion in support in the first three months of 2025.

Earlier, Espreso journalist Tetiana Vysotska reported the start of the second day of the meeting.

The ministers arrived at NATO headquarters, where a working session on security issues began at 10:00 a.m. local time, with the participation of the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas.

In his speech before the meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted that the European Union is significantly ramping up its defense efforts.

The NATO Secretary General described the new White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 as an important milestone, expressing anticipation for closer cooperation in its implementation. He noted that the EU is committed to playing a greater role in supporting Ukraine, emphasizing that in a more dangerous world, everyone must do their fair share.

He also highlighted that the United States' continued commitment to a strong transatlantic alliance remains the foundation of security. Looking ahead, he expressed his eagerness to discuss how to further strengthen the bond between Europe and North America and make NATO a stronger, fairer, and more lethal Alliance at the upcoming summit in The Hague.