Zelenskyy, Rutte Coordinate Ceasefire Talks Ahead of Hague NATO Summit
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a phone conversation to discuss coordinated steps toward securing a ceasefire with Russia, future sanctions measures, and long-term NATO support for Ukraine, The Gaze reports.
The call took place ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague, where member states are expected to focus on military assistance to Kyiv and ensuring the durability of any future peace agreement.
During the call, President Zelenskyy briefed Rutte on Ukraine’s recent diplomatic engagements and preparations for the next phase of negotiations with Russia.
He outlined possible formats and platforms under consideration for holding such talks, stressing the importance of sustained international pressure on Moscow to achieve a meaningful ceasefire.
The two leaders also discussed the recently adopted 17th EU sanctions package and new sanctions introduced by the United Kingdom. Both agreed on the need for future sanctions to be coordinated at the transatlantic level to maximize their impact.
Special emphasis was placed on continued cooperation within NATO. Zelenskyy and Rutte touched on the role of NATO’s command in Wiesbaden, Germany, which supports Ukraine’s military efforts and strategic planning. They also reviewed ongoing preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.
Rutte emphasized that during the summit, alliance members will work to ensure Ukraine receives all necessary collective support to maintain a strong position in its defense against Russia. He said NATO must help lay the groundwork for a future peace that is “durable and lasting,” avoiding past failures such as those seen with the Minsk agreements.
Rutte also highlighted NATO’s growing unity and capability, noting that the alliance of 32 countries, backed by a combined $50 trillion economy, is fully equipped to defend against any aggressor.
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