NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, addressing a press conference ahead of the NATO Foreign Affairs Meeting in Brussels, accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of escalating aggression in Ukraine. Rutte stated, “Putin does not want peace. He pressures us to gain more territory, believing he can break Ukraine’s and our resolve, but he is wrong.”
Rutte highlighted Ukraine’s critical winter challenges, condemning Russia’s use of Ukraine as a “testing ground for missiles” and involving North Korean soldiers in the conflict. Stressing the importance of military aid, he said, “The stronger support we provide Ukraine, the better positioned they’ll be at the negotiating table to end Russian aggression.”
The meeting also includes discussions on Middle East conflicts and their impact on Euro-Atlantic security, with Jordan’s King Abdullah II participating.