In Brussels, the NATO Secretary-General indicated a desire to explore strategies that would empower Ukraine for potential future peace discussions with Russia. This meeting, taking place Wednesday, involves Ukraine’s president along with a select group of European leaders.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed his frustration regarding the increasing speculation among NATO members about the timing of peace negotiations and the possible involvement of European peacekeepers. He emphasized that public discussions about these matters could inadvertently benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin. “A primary focus should be to ensure that President Zelenskyy and his team are well-prepared when they decide to initiate peace talks,” Rutte explained to journalists as he greeted Zelenskyy at his residence.
Rutte further stressed the importance of taking all necessary actions to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and to supply various weapons systems. He pointed out that discussions would also need to encompass thoughts on Ukraine’s economy, both in the present and in the context of a future peace settlement.
Zelenskyy shared on Telegram that he would engage in conversations with leaders from the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Poland, along with representatives from the U.K. He is also scheduled to participate in an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. He noted that this meeting represents a significant opportunity to discuss security assurances for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of such guarantees for both the present and the future. Although Ukraine aspires to NATO membership as a crucial security measure, opposition remains from the U.S. and Germany, especially amidst ongoing hostilities.
Following separate discussions with Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that bolstering support for Ukraine has become “an absolute priority” for France, aiming to provide Ukraine with the necessary resources to defend itself and counter Russia’s aggressive actions, as outlined by Macron’s office. Macron also highlighted his ongoing communication with both Trump and Zelenskyy, insisting on maintaining a close dialogue with Ukraine and its global allies in pursuit of a fair and sustained peace.
Earlier at NATO headquarters, Rutte remarked that the conditions for any peace negotiations should be defined by Ukraine, Russia, and any involved parties at the negotiating table. “If we start speculating about what a potential agreement might entail, we inadvertently ease the situation for the Russians,” he stated, advocating for a more restrained approach. “We should maintain focus on our primary objective: ensuring that Ukraine is equipped to prevent a victory for Putin,” Rutte concluded.