Newly appointed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Zelensky — details

The new NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, has arrived in Ukraine for a visit. He met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

This was reported by Ukrinform.

Mark Rutte visits Ukraine for the fifth time

Mark Rutte and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the prospects for cooperation between Ukraine and NATO, the victory plan, the situation at the front, the provision of weapons, and the upcoming "Ramstein" meeting.

Volodymyr Zelensky noted that partners are delaying the supply of weapons to Ukraine. He also raised the issue of shooting down Russian aerial targets, citing examples from the Middle East where partners helped intercept Iranian missiles.

Meanwhile, Mark Rutte said Ukraine is close to NATO membership and that the alliance will continue to provide full support.

Zelensky emphasized that the main task for Ukraine right now is to join NATO.

"Ukraine is focusing on certain things. Regarding NATO, we are currently focused on being invited to the Alliance. This is a very important step. It's difficult to achieve. We are concentrating on this outcome and will do everything we can to attain it," the head of state said.

Zelensky also added that Ukraine needs to receive all the necessary weapons more quickly, which were promised during the NATO summit held on July 9–11, 2024.

"Secondly, it is about weapons, first of all air defense systems, which are moving towards the implementation of the decision made in Washington (during the NATO summit on July 9–11) on the appropriate number of Patriot and STAMP-T systems. We are getting closer to the time when we will receive everything promised at the summit, as well as additional systems," Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Recall that recently, Mark Rutte made a statement regarding allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory.

He also indicated what Ukraine's NATO membership depends on.