Ukraine to Be Key Priority at Upcoming NATO Summit, Secretary General Rutte Says
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that continued support for Ukraine will be one of the top priorities at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, scheduled for later this month, The Gaze reports, citing Ukrinform.
Speaking at a press conference following the summit of the Bucharest Nine (B9) and Nordic countries in Vilnius, Rutte emphasized the importance of Ukraine to European and transatlantic security.
“Today we also talked about Ukraine – a key priority for the summit in The Hague. Dear Volodymyr [Zelenskyy], we continue to support Ukraine and know that a strong and sovereign Ukraine is vital for Euro-Atlantic security,” Rutte stated.
The NATO chief stressed that the Alliance is facing the greatest threats and instability in decades.
“Russia’s aggressive war continues, and the terrorist threat persists. We are not at war, but we are not at peace either. So, we must keep strengthening our deterrence and defense. That means moving toward full combat readiness,” he said.
This includes deploying more troops, ensuring they are well-trained and well-equipped, and improving logistics and ammunition supplies. Rutte underscored the key role B9 and northern allies will play in these efforts.
He also voiced confidence that the upcoming summit in The Hague will showcase true Allied commitment to collective defense, and deliver decisions on boosting defense production and investment.
“This includes reaching new capability targets, which Allies are expected to agree on later this week when defense ministers meet in Brussels. We have about three weeks left, and I count on progress for the sake of our one billion people,” Rutte concluded.
Read more on The Gaze: 2025 Summer NATO Summit in The Hague: The Moment of Truth