18.02.2025 02:00
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that Europe is willing to take the lead in providing security guarantees to Ukraine and to increase its share in the Alliance's defense. Rutte also stated that Europe is ready to invest in collective security following the extraordinary summit in Paris.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Europe is ready and willing to take the lead in providing security guarantees to Ukraine following the end of the war and to increase its share in the Alliance's defense.
Rutte made the statement on his social media account after the extraordinary summit on Ukraine held in Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
"WILLING TO TAKE THE LEAD IN EUROPE"
Rutte noted that he concluded that they are "ready and willing" from the summit, stating, "Europe is ready and willing to take the lead in providing security guarantees for Ukraine." He also conveyed that Europe is ready and willing to invest in NATO's collective security, adding that details will need to be agreed upon, but the commitment is clear.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The summit, which evaluated developments regarding the peace negotiations brought up by the Donald Trump administration in the U.S. and announced that Europe would be left out, was attended by Rutte, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and the leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
The Trump administration emphasizes that Ukraine should not be a NATO member and that security guarantees after the war should be provided not by NATO, but by European countries. The White House also wants NATO's European allies to take full responsibility for the continent's defense.