03.02.2026 20:04
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the security guarantees to be provided to Ukraine will be solid, saying, "Members of the Coalition of Volunteers have made encouraging progress on these guarantees. Some European allies have announced that they will deploy troops to Ukraine after an agreement is reached. There will be soldiers on the ground, jets in the air, and ships in the Black Sea."
The NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, located in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, reiterated NATO's support in his speech at the Ukrainian Parliament.
"UKRAINE IS STRONG AND OUR SUPPORT IS UNWAVERING"
Rutte expressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks he can "weaken Ukraine by waiting," noting that Putin believed Ukraine was weak, that its supporters would tire over time, and that its will would falter. Rutte stated, "However, he was greatly mistaken. Ukraine is strong, and our support is unwavering."
Rutte recalled that billions of dollars worth of critical U.S. military equipment have been transferred to Ukraine through NATO's "Ukrainian Priority Needs List" (PURL), financed by allies and partners, saying, "Since we launched the PURL last summer, approximately 75% of the missiles used for Ukraine's Patriot batteries and 90% of the missiles used in other air defense systems have been provided through this mechanism."
"WE HAVE NOT TURNED OUR ATTENTION ELSEWHERE"
Rutte pointed out that focusing on other global developments has raised some concerns in Ukraine, stating, "However, I want to assure you that we have not turned our attention elsewhere. Ukraine is vital to our security and will continue to be so. Our determination to support Ukraine is unwavering."
Rutte indicated that he is aware of Ukraine's urgent need for more support, noting that efforts are ongoing in this direction, and he has called on allies to push their stocks to the limit to meet Ukraine's needs and to offer everything they can. Rutte stated that defense production has increased both in NATO member countries and in Ukraine, expressing that cooperation continues.
"THERE WILL BE SOLDIERS ON THE GROUND, JETS IN THE AIR, AND SHIPS IN THE BLACK SEA"
Rutte reminded that Ukraine needs not only strong armed forces but also solid security guarantees, stating: "The U.S., Europe, and Canada have confirmed that they are ready to provide the assurances Ukraine needs to build peace with Russia. Members of the Coalition of Volunteers have made encouraging progress on these guarantees. Some European allies have announced that they will deploy troops to Ukraine after an agreement is reached. There will be soldiers on the ground, jets in the air, and ships in the Black Sea."
Rutte noted that the U.S. will also provide the underlying assurance and reminded that other allies have committed to supporting Ukraine in various ways.
"SECURITY GUARANTEES ARE SOLID"
Rutte stated, "Security guarantees are solid, and this is of vital importance. Because we know that reaching an agreement to end this terrible war will require difficult choices." Rutte, who promised that peace would be lasting, expressed that despite Putin being willing to sacrifice countless people from his own nation, he has not succeeded, and the gains on the battlefield have progressed extremely slowly and heavily. Rutte stated that pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine will continue, saying, "Winter may be cold, but spring will surely come."
"MY MESSAGE TO THE RUSSIANS IS THIS: END THIS NOW"
In a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Rutte responded to a question about whether he would inform U.S. President Donald Trump about the attacks carried out by Russia last night, saying, "I always respect confidentiality in discussions with leaders."
Rutte expressed confidence that the U.S. is aware of the attacks, stating that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable. Rutte emphasized, "My message to the Russians is this: End this now." He reiterated that the security guarantees to be provided to Ukraine after a ceasefire and peace will be strong enough to prevent a new attack, stating, "Russia also needs to act constructively. However, what happened last night was not a good sign."
RUSSIA TARGETED UKRAINE'S INFRASTRUCTURE YESTERDAY
In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense noted that the Russian Armed Forces responded to "terror attacks" on civilian targets in Russia by Ukraine during the night, stating, "Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's military industrial facilities, the energy sources they use, and the assembly and storage areas for long-range drones with long-range precision weapons and armed drones from the air and ground."
The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that the Russian army carried out airstrikes on Ukraine with 71 missiles of different types and 450 drones (UAVs).