NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to swiftly restore relations with U.S. President Donald Trump following their recent tensions at the White House.
Speaking to the BBC, Rutte revealed that he has spoken with Zelensky at least twice since the incident, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong ties with the U.S.
“I told Zelensky that we must respect what Trump has done so far,” Rutte stated, adding that the Ukrainian leader should find a way to rebuild relations with the American president.
Rutte expressed confidence that Trump is committed to achieving a “sustainable peace” in Ukraine, but stressed that cooperation between Europe, Ukraine, and the U.S. is essential.
Highlighting the U.S.’s leading role within NATO, Rutte reminded that it was Trump who supplied Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in 2019, which later played a crucial role in defending against Russian forces.
The NATO chief also confirmed that he spoke with Trump earlier this week and remains convinced of his commitment to the alliance.
