New NATO chief Mark Rutte visits Ukraine in his first trip since taking office

New NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte visits Ukraine, pledging support in its war with Russia, discussing military needs and NATO membership.

New NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte visited Ukraine on Thursday (October 3, 2024) in his first official trip since taking office and pledging continued support for Kyiv in its war with Russia.

Mr. Rutte met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv as air raid sirens twice went off in the Ukrainian capital.

The new head of NATO vowed when he took office Tuesday (October 1, 2024) to help shore up Western support for Ukraine, which has been fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion since February 2022 and has recently been on the defensive due to a relentless Russian Army push in eastern regions.

Mr. Rutte expressed confidence that he can work with whomever is elected president of the United States, the alliance’s most powerful member, in November. That could be a key moment for Ukraine’s effort to ensure continuing Western support.

Mr. Zelenskyy said he discussed with Mr. Rutte elements of Ukraine's so-called victory plan, ahead of a NATO meeting at the Ramstein air base in Germany next week.

The two also discussed the battlefield situation and the specific needs of Ukrainian military units. Mr. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine needs more weapons, including long-range weapons.

Mr. Rutte reiterated the alliance's unwavering support for Ukraine, saying “Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before.”