
ATHENS – NATO’s newly appointed Secretary General, Mark Rutte, delivered a stark assessment of Russian leadership on Tuesday, accusing President Vladimir Putin of having no interest in pursuing peace.
Speaking about Russia’s war on Ukraine, which began in February 2022, Rutte said, “Putin is relentless, aiming to seize more territory and break Ukraine’s determination.” He warned that Ukraine faces another challenging winter as Russia intensifies its aggressive actions and rhetoric.
At a press conference ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Rutte accused Russia of using Ukraine as a “testing ground” for experimental missile technology and alleged that North Korean soldiers are being deployed in the conflict.
Rutte also pointed to broader threats, stating that both Russia and China have attempted to destabilize NATO member states through sabotage, cyber-attacks, and energy coercion.
Despite these challenges, the Secretary General reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening the transatlantic alliance. “This situation will not deter us,” he said, emphasizing the alliance’s resolve.
To bolster its efforts, NATO is establishing a new command center in Wiesbaden, Germany, which will focus on coordinating security assistance and training initiatives for Ukraine, Rutte added.
His comments highlight NATO’s ongoing support for Ukraine amid an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape, as well as its determination to counter threats to global security.
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