Chief NATO: Zelensky must find way to repair relations with Trump

Periskopi

1 March 2025, 17:01(a year ago)

Secretary - General NATO, Mark Rutte, said yesterday's disputes between Trump and Zelenskyy were <x0-Fitty” and they must repair their relations. “I've spoken on the phone twice so far with President Zelensky. I told him this, we have to stay together, the United States, Ukraine and Europe, for them [...]

I've spoken twice on the phone so far with President Zelensky. I told him this, we have to stay together, the United States, Ukraine and Europe, to bring Ukraine into stable peace”, Rutte told BBC.

When asked what Zelensky said about his meeting with Trump, Rutte said he couldn't find out what they discussed, “but what I said clearly is that we really should respect what President Trump has done so far for Ukraine”, referring to antitank Javelin missiles supplied by the US.

Rutte added that Ukraine would be nowhere without American support. So I told him, we really should credit Trump for what he did then, what America has done since then, and also what America is still doing. ”

Rutte insisted Trump was committed to creating a lasting peace in Ukraine, but said the US president wanted Europe and Canada to spend more on defence.

Listen, I spoke for half an hour Thursday with Donald Trump, on the phone. We're friends. We've been working together for years. I know he's committed to bringing Ukraine into lasting peace. He is dedicated to NATO. Of course. He expects NATO European partners in Canada to spend more and increase defence production. And he's right there.

I am absolutely convinced that the United States wants to bring Ukraine to this lasting peace... But obviously what they have to get there is to make sure we all work together on this. And it's important that President Zelensky find a way to restore his relationship with the American president and with the top American leader team. I discussed this yesterday with Zelensky, also with Keir Starmer, and now they will meet later today, Zelensky and Starmer, and tomorrow there will be an important meeting.

When the peace agreement is reached, it is important, and I think it will come out tomorrow, that many European countries are willing to help ensure that security guarantees are in place in Ukraine, to ensure that that that that peace deal is stable and will no longer be challenged by Russians”, he said.