NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has emphasized that any potential peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine must result in a long-term and sustainable solution, rather than a temporary ceasefire that could allow future aggression.
Call for Durable Peace
Speaking to the media ahead of the NATO defense ministers’ meeting, Rutte warned against repeating past mistakes, referencing previous failed peace agreements.
“It is crucial that any outcome from these negotiations is durable—not a third Minsk agreement. We cannot allow Putin to keep attempting to seize Ukrainian territory piece by piece,” Rutte stated.
Increased Defense Spending
Reaffirming NATO’s commitment to strengthening defense, Rutte stressed the need for European allies to invest more in security, not just due to U.S. demands but because of the direct threat posed by Russia.
“We must increase spending because of the risks coming from Russia. NATO member states must also boost defense production,” he added.
Focus on the Western Balkans
In addition to Ukraine and defense budgets, NATO defense ministers are also set to discuss security challenges in the Western Balkans during the Brussels meeting.
