Only Donald Trump can convince Vladimir Putin to accept peace in Ukraine, says NATO chief
Only US President Donald Trump can persuade Russian leader Vladimir Putin to accept a peace settlement in Ukraine. The statement was made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in an interview published Sunday, December 21, by the German publication Bild am Sonntag.
Mark Rutte praised the efforts made by the White House leader to end the war triggered by Russia, which has lasted for nearly four years. "Trump is deeply involved in this matter. He is focused on the goal of ending this war," the NATO chief stated, according to DW.
US troop withdrawal from Europe is not on the table
According to Rutte, the American president is the only one who has managed to bring Putin to the negotiating table and the only one who can ultimately compel him to accept peace. "I have great respect for him for this," Mark Rutte declared.
The NATO chief added that, in the event of an emergency, the Alliance can rely on United States support. "The US has made it clear that they will remain in Europe – both in terms of nuclear and conventional capabilities. The withdrawal of troops from Europe is not being discussed."
At the same time, the European community is fulfilling its commitments to significantly increase defense spending. Europe is taking responsibility for Ukraine within the "Coalition of the Willing" and is actively strengthening NATO's Eastern Flank, the Secretary General added.
Rutte also dismissed fears that the US might cease its support for Kyiv. "I do not consider this possible at all. We currently see that intelligence sharing and arms deliveries to Ukraine are continuing," he noted.
Mark Rutte delivers keynote speech in Berlin
Previously, Mark Rutte visited Berlin during an active phase of US negotiations regarding the end of Russia's war against Ukraine. In a speech delivered on December 11, the NATO Secretary General urged an analysis of the consequences should Kyiv lose the war. "We are Russia's next target," he warned.
In such a scenario, the threat of a Russian Federation attack on NATO would escalate, and the Russian military could be prepared for such an action by 2030, Rutte stated. Under these conditions, NATO would be forced to deploy much larger formations on the Eastern Flank, rather than just isolated brigades as it does today.
The Secretary General compared this potential scenario to World War II: "We must be prepared for the type of war that our grandparents and great-grandparents lived through."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
