Zelensky takes advantage of Rutte’s visit to kyiv to demand the same protection that NATO members give Israel

The new Secretary General of NATO, Mark Ruttehe stated this Thursday in a surprise visit to kyiv who wanted to travel to the Ukrainian capital two days after beginning his mandate to “make it very clear” that Ukraine has the support of the Atlantic Alliance against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyhas taken the opportunity to ask his allies the same treatment that some of them gave to Israel last Tuesday during the Iran missile attack.

Specifically, the Ukrainian president indicated that he would like to see kyiv’s allies shooting down missiles and drones used by Russia in their attacks on Ukraine, just as some did when Tehran attacked Tel Aviv this week.

Rutte, who took office as head of NATO two days ago, made his first official trip in his new position to kyivwhich he has already visited five times since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the previous ones as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

“This is the first time I have come here as Secretary General of NATO, and it was important for me to come to Ukraine at the beginning of my term to make it very clear to you, to the Ukrainian people and to all those who are watching, that “NATO is with Ukraine,” he stressed in a press conference with Zelensky.

He assured that as the new Secretary General of the Alliance it is his “priority and privilege to carry forward this support, working with you to guarantee that Ukraine prevails.”

“Ukraine is closer to NATO than everand will continue on this path until it becomes a member of our Alliance,” emphasized the Dutch politician.

He stated that Many allies have already signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine, which means that “it is becoming stronger day by day, more interoperable with NATO and better prepared than ever to enter our Alliance, and this is basically building the bridge to Ukraine’s integration into NATO.”

Rutte stressed that NATO is so committed to helping Ukraine because “Your safety is important to ours and their fight for freedom reflects our fundamental principles and values.

He recalled that the allies have provided Ukraine with unprecedented support since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, including more than 99% of all the military aid it has received, although it said it is aware that it needs more.

“That’s why allies agreed at the NATO summit in Washington this summer to make sure we could provide them with more equipment, more training and more support,” he noted.

Thus, he alluded to command center in Germany from which NATO will coordinate the provision of military aid and training of Ukrainian soldiers, and the financial commitment of at least 40 billion euros to provide military aid to Ukraine in one year. “We know the need is urgent and we are working hard to do more and faster,” he said.

However, Zelensky once again demanded that his Western allies allow his Army to carry out attacks on Russian territory with long-range weapons supplied by themdenouncing that They were “delaying” their decision.

“Without long-range weapons, we cannot stop Russia, which is using these weapons against us, destroying everything,” he stressed.

Asked if he believes that at the next meeting of Ukraine’s allies in Ramstein (Germany) on October 12, convened at the leadership level by US President Joe Biden, they will approve that Ukraine can use long-range Western missiles against military targets. on Russian territory, Rutte simply stressed that “Ukraine has the right to defend itself.”

“International law is on Ukraine’s side, which means that this law does not end at the border. And Russia is carrying out this illegal war, and that means targeting Russian fighters and missiles before they can be used against Ukraine’s civil infrastructure can help save lives,” he added

As Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rutte previously approved the transfer of Dutch F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

In his new role, Rutte faces numerous challenges, including a possible return of NATO skeptic Donald Trump as president of the United States – the alliance’s dominant power – and calls for more reinforcements from Eastern European allies to protect against Russia.