New NATO Secretary General Rutte visits Kyiv

The newly appointed secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Mark Rutte, made Ukraine his first foreign destination on Oct. 3 having taken office 48 hours earlier. 

“It was important to me that I come to Ukraine at the start of my mandate to make crystal clear to you, to the people of Ukraine, and to everyone watching that NATO stands with Ukraine,” Rutte said during a news conference in Kyiv, as reported by NATO.

Rutte once again emphasized that Ukraine will remain a central priority during his four-year term. 

“As the new NATO Secretary General, it is my priority and my privilege to take this support forward, working with you to ensure that Ukraine prevails,” he said regarding Russia’s war of aggression.

Rutte pointed out that 99 percent of the security assistance Ukraine has received comes from NATO member states.

“Your security matters for ours. And your fight for freedom reflects our core principles and values,” Rutte added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that a key priority in Ukraine’s relationship with NATO is securing an invitation to join the defense Alliance, acknowledging the challenges ahead.

Zelenskyy also stressed the urgent need for air defense systems in Ukraine before winter, as well as progress in jointly intercepting Russian missiles and drones.

“We discussed these matters with Mark Rutte – we will continue convincing all partners of what needs to be implemented for effective air defense,” he said.

A former Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte officially assumed the role of NATO secretary general on Oct. 1.