Alliance must help Ukraine change war trajectory “once and for all” - Rutte

This winter could be the most difficult for Ukraine since 2022, and NATO allies should increase security assistance to change the trajectory of the conflict in Ukraine's favor once and for all.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said this on Wednesday, speaking at a press conference following a two-day meeting of the Alliance's foreign ministers, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Ukraine is facing relentless bombardment targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure. And Russia is making gains along the frontline, though at a high cost. This could be Ukraine’s most difficult winter since 2022. We discussed what more Allies can do to provide critical ammunition and air defenses," Rutte noted.

He noted that Russia steps up its attacks, expanding the war by using weapons and troops from North Korea.

“We must do more than just keep Ukraine in the fight. We must provide enough support to change the trajectory of this conflict once and for all,” Rutte added.

He recalled that the allies continue to work on fulfilling the commitments made at the Washington summit to provide Ukraine with security assistance worth EUR 40 billion in 2024. According to the top official, the effectiveness of such work will be increased after the new command in Wiesbaden, the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, becomes fully operational by the end of this year.

“Yesterday we were also joined by the new EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas. The EU is an essential partner and we cooperate on a range of issues: from our support to Ukraine, to military mobility, and ramping up defense production. I am looking forward to building on this cooperation,” the NATO Secretary General emphasized.

As reported, a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers has completed in Brussels. Yesterday, December 3, a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was held at the Alliance headquarters in the format of a working dinner with the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha.