Rutte warns Trump of "dire threat" if Ukraine accepts bad peace deal

Rutte made this statement during an interview with the Financial Times.

He stressed that a bad deal could expose Ukraine to a "dire threat" from China, Iran, and North Korea. The Secretary-General added that growing ties between U.S. adversaries endanger American security.

Iran gets money from Russia in exchange for things like missiles and drone technology. That money is used to fund Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as to fuel conflicts outside the region, Rutte said.

He also warned that Chinese leader Xi Jinping might consider new actions in the future if Ukraine doesn't secure a solid deal — an apparent hint at potential aggression against Taiwan.

Rutte emphasized the danger of a situation where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping, and Iran's leadership celebrate a deal that fails Ukraine, arguing it would create a long-term security risk not only for Europe but also for the United States.

• On the same day as a key foreign ministers' meeting, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry published a statement rejecting any security guarantees as an alternative to NATO membership.