International

NATO bolsters Ukraine’s defense ahead of peace talks

Supporting Ukraine and preparing for potential peace talks are key priorities on NATO's agenda, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels.

Discussions focused on bolstering Ukraine’s defense and unifying the stance of European partners.

"A top priority on our agenda is to ensure that President Zelensky, his team, and Ukraine are in the strongest possible position when they decide to initiate peace talks. This means we must act now to ensure that, regarding air defense and other weapon systems, we provide everything possible," said Mark Rutte.

Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, highlighted the importance of European unity in supporting Ukraine, emphasizing that each meeting with international partners marks progress.

"A highly significant and productive meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Our discussions focused on bolstering Ukraine’s air defense and ensuring a sustainable peace we are working together to achieve. We thank the NATO Secretary General and all our partners for their willingness to actively enhance our air shield and to collaborate on effective security guarantees. The Alliance will do everything to ensure that Ukraine is as strong as possible as we move toward more active diplomacy," Zelensky wrote on X.com.

According to Reuters, Ukrainian President Zelensky held discussions on Wednesday with other European leaders, seeking immediate assistance to reinforce Kyiv’s war effort and explore long-term security guarantees. Zelensky told reporters that the Brussels discussions with the 27 national leaders of the European Union were "a valuable opportunity to address security guarantees for Ukraine both now and in the future."

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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