"Keep dreaming", Rutte: Europe cannot defend itself without the US, Ukraine must be fully supported

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that Ukraine is facing its "harshest winter" in more than a decade as a result of intensifying Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, particularly in Kiev and other major cities.

Speaking before the European Parliament, Rutte said that peace talks led by the United States are underway, praising the American initiative and the role of the European "Coalition of the Willing", which is working to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.

According to him, the goal should be either to reach a peace agreement or a long-term ceasefire, in order to prevent a new attack by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He stressed that Ukraine's security is directly linked to the security of Europe as a whole.

Rutte called on MEPs not to place excessive restrictions on the use of around €90 billion in European security loans, warning that so-called “European purchasing” conditions could limit Ukraine’s ability to secure the equipment it needs or to use the funds effectively. He stressed that Ukraine’s needs must remain the priority.

Speaking about developments in the Arctic and Greenland, Rutte said that he has held talks with European leaders, from which two main directions have emerged: strengthening NATO's collective activities in the Arctic in the face of threats from Russia and China, as well as managing relations between Denmark, Greenland and the United States after recent meetings with senior American officials.

He clarified that he has no mandate to negotiate on behalf of Denmark, but defended the US president, saying he has the right to raise concerns about security in the Arctic.

Regarding Ukraine, Rutte referred to statements by President Volodymyr Zelensky that US security guarantees were close to an agreement. However, he acknowledged that the issue of territories remains particularly sensitive and stressed that only Ukraine can decide on possible compromises.

Rutte also said that Ukraine wants NATO membership, but noted that opposition from some member states makes this prospect politically unrealistic at the moment. He categorically denied that the US has attempted to link security guarantees for Ukraine to discussions about Greenland.

The Secretary-General welcomed France's action to seize a tanker suspected of belonging to the so-called "shadow fleet", stressing that such measures hit Russia's sources of funding for the war in Ukraine.

Commenting on ideas for a European alternative to NATO without the US, Rutte warned that such a scenario would be extremely complicated and, in his opinion, would serve Moscow's interests. He added that the increase in defense spending to 2 percent of GDP by NATO member countries would not have been achieved without pressure exerted by US President Donald Trump.

In the end, Rutte stressed that Europe needs the United States, just as the US needs NATO, assuring that the American military presence in Europe will remain strong, despite changes in Washington's priorities.

The Geo Post