03.06.2026 23:20
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressed young people who will join the army in Russia, saying, "You are being offered a bad deal. If you get injured, you will most likely be left to die in the mud." Rutte claimed that Russia has suffered "extremely heavy" losses in Ukraine, alleging that more than 30,000 Russian soldiers are killed each month.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte paid an official visit to Ukraine.
ADDRESSES RUSSIAN YOUTH: YOU WILL BE LEFT TO DIE IN UKRAINE
As part of his engagements, Rutte met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the capital Kyiv, and along with accompanying NATO officials, attended a ceremony for Ukrainian soldiers who lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine War.
Afterward, meetings between NATO officials and Ukrainian officials began. During the joint press statement following the talks, Rutte addressed young people and their families in Russia. Continuing his criticism of the Moscow administration, Rutte warned young people who would join the army to become part of the war in Ukraine that they would lose their lives.
Rutte stated, "You are being offered a bad deal. Men like you who join the war will not receive training. The equipment provided to you will be insufficient. While there, your chances of dying or being injured are very high." The NATO Secretary General added, "If you are injured, you will most likely be left to die in the mud."
“MORE THAN 30,000 RUSSIAN SOLDIERS KILLED PER MONTH”
Arguing that Russia has suffered "extremely heavy" losses in Ukraine, Rutte said that more than 30,000 Russian soldiers are killed per month and that this number aligns with estimates he has previously mentioned. Rutte stated, "This means losing more people in one month than the Soviet Union lost in Afghanistan in the 1980s over ten years."
The NATO Secretary General said, "This is not an abstract situation. This will most likely be you."
ZELENSKY: I AM READY FOR DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS WITH PUTIN
Zelensky stated he is ready for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, saying, "Instead of waiting in line until all other conflicts in the rest of the world end and it is our turn, I am ready for direct negotiations with Putin."
Referring to Ukraine's recent attacks on Russia, Zelensky said, "I do not follow Putin's daily schedule. We are only responding to the attack on Ukraine. I believe our attacks are justified. If they continue to use drones and missiles against us, we will respond in kind. However, we only respond to oil refineries or legitimate military targets."
Pointing out that they need to give a more concrete response to Russia's use of ballistic missiles in attacks on Ukraine, Zelensky added, "Ballistic missiles are Russia's last argument against Ukraine in this war, and we must find an adequate response to them. Our only proven tool that has worked so far is the US-made Patriot air defense systems."