Khaberni - NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, confirmed that the alliance faces "real and permanent risks" amid the ongoing Ukrainian war and escalating tensions with Moscow, noting that member states are raising their vigilance and defensive capabilities to an unprecedented level.
The British newspaper The Guardian quoted Rutte saying that Russia continues its attacks against Ukraine, along with what he described as "more reckless behaviour" towards alliance countries through airspace violations and cyber-attacks.
Rutte revealed that two-thirds of the alliance's countries have already committed to supporting Ukraine through the American weapons purchase program known as PURL, with commitment values reaching up to 4 billion dollars, noting that partner countries like Austria and New Zealand have also expressed their willingness to contribute.
Rutte emphasized that Ukraine "desperately needs funding, whether through a loan mechanism based on compensations or any alternative mechanism".
Regarding the political track, Rutte praised the efforts of the American President Donald Trump in advancing the negotiations, stating that he is the only one who has managed to break the deadlock, but he affirmed that achieving peace will not be straightforward or in a single push, but through gradual steps that require ongoing proposals and discussions, amidst meetings held in Geneva, Miami, and Moscow. Rutte added that he is careful not to make statements that could hinder the negotiations, but he stressed that coordination with the United States is ongoing, and the shared goal is to achieve peace that preserves Ukraine's sovereignty.
