Main points
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during his visit to Kyiv, emphasized the need for Euro-Atlantic unity and confrontation with Russia.
- Rutte emphasized the readiness of European countries to take responsibility for the peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine, addressing the US through his statements.
Mark Rutte arrived on a visit to Ukraine / Photo Getty Images
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived in Kyiv, which had endured another massive Russian attack overnight, on February 3. Rutte spoke in the Verkhovna Rada, making a number of important statements and expressing continued support for Ukraine.
During his speech in Kyiv, Mark Rutte addressed not only Ukrainians and the leadership of our country, but also the head of the United States of America. This was the opinion expressed by political scientist and president of the International Institute for Security Studies Oleksiy Buryachenko in a conversation with Channel 24 , explaining why the visit to Ukraine was important for the NATO Secretary General.
What is the importance of the visit to Kyiv for Rutte?
Buryachenko noted that Mark Rutte said many right things in the Verkhovna Rada and then at a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky. However, Ukrainians have heard all this repeatedly from Ukraine's partners – that they will hand over planes, tanks, ships, etc. to us.
Rutte, arriving in Ukraine in bitter cold and immediately after massive shelling, showed that NATO's main focus is primarily on confronting Russia. He also emphasized the need to push for Euro-Atlantic unity,
– the political scientist noted.
During the briefing, he said, there were many correct statements regarding Russia, continued pressure on it, and the subsequent impact of sanctions.
“However, Rutte emphasized a lot, based on his own interests. He appealed to the US, trying to convey to the Americans through his public statements that the European part of NATO, the countries of the “coalition of the willing”, are ready to take responsibility for deploying a peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine,” the president of the International Institute for Security Studies noted.
Please note! During his visit to Ukraine, the NATO Secretary General assured that there will be money for military assistance to Ukraine, in particular for the purchase of American weapons under the PURL program. At the same time, according to Mark Rutte, some states are already making large contributions to aid Ukraine, such as Canada, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and the Baltic countries. Slovenia and Belgium are also making “relatively much”. NATO is currently working on an even distribution of the “burden” within the Alliance.
The NATO Secretary General, according to the political scientist, very clearly formulated that peace for Ukraine is peace for Europe, emphasizing that European countries cannot be excluded from negotiations to achieve peace.
Because it is Europe that will invest most in Ukraine's reconstruction. And it is Europe that hopes that Ukraine will become an important part of European security,
– noted Oleksiy Buryachenko.
This visit by Mark Rutte to Ukraine, the political scientist concluded, was needed more by the NATO Secretary General himself than anyone else. At the same time, he made key statements, promising certain actions towards Ukraine, and towards European and American partners.
What statements did Mark Rutte make in Kyiv?
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The NATO Secretary General noted that the bulk of missile assistance to Ukraine was provided under the PURL program. According to him, since the summer of 2025, 75% of all missiles, as well as 90% of missiles for air defense, have been transferred to Kyiv through the PURL mechanism.
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Rutte also reacted to the massive Russian strike on Ukraine on February 3, which was directed against civilian infrastructure. He stressed that Russia's attacks have no military purpose and are aimed at creating chaos for the civilian population. They also send a “very bad signal” about the negotiation process.
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The NATO Secretary General also emphasized that after the signing of the peace agreement, Ukraine's partners will take care of its security. This includes the deployment of armed forces, air support, and assistance at sea.