NATO's attention to Ukraine increasing - we are ready to provide rapid support - Rutte
NATO’s attention to and support for Ukraine’s security has not diminished despite various global events and concerns, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said during a speech in Kyiv at the opening of the 15th session of the Verkhovna Rada.
"Right now, we are focused on those global events that may cause concern, and therefore our attention may be divided. But you need our support, because the temperature is falling and attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure are increasing. Russia’s efforts to destroy Ukraine are intensifying, but I want to assure you that our attention is not diverted from Ukraine," he said during a speech broadcast and translated into Ukrainian by the Rada TV channel.
Rutte assured that Ukraine was and remains at the center of our security vision."
"And we are ready to provide support quickly," he said.
Rutte also noted that the dialogue between Ukraine and NATO continues every day, equipment is constantly arriving for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. NATO Command in Germany constantly coordinates military support and training.
Rutte recalled that production for security needs is currently increasing. And NATO is learning from innovations in Ukraine.
"As a result, many NATO countries are now working and producing certain equipment together with Ukraine and immediately supplying it to Ukraine.
And we are all starting to benefit from this cooperation. The more capacity we have, the more prepared we are. And our security throughout NATO is growing all the more," he said.
Rutte stressed that NATO wants to ensure that peace in Ukraine is lasting, so that "children can grow up in freedom and look to the future without fear and build a great nation."
Rutte noted the work of the Coalition of the Willing, which has made progress in working on security guarantees.
"And as soon as a peace agreement is reached, the Armed Forces will immediately appear, planes in the air and support at sea. And NATO, those who agreed, other NATO members will help in other ways," he assured.
At the same time, Rutte noted that reaching an agreement to end the war "will require difficult choices."
"Ukraine must understand that every sacrifice you have made, every life lost, every difficult moment you have experienced will not be repeated soon, that peace will be long-lasting and that the documents that will be signed will be implemented by major countries. "Would you like a second Budapest Memorandum or another Minsk?" Rutte said.
