IRIA News

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NATO’s new Secretary-General Mark Rutte visited Ukraine in his first official trip since taking office earlier this week, reaffirming the alliance’s steadfast support for Kyiv in its ongoing war with Russia. Rutte’s visit comes at a critical time, as Ukraine continues to face relentless military pressure from Russian forces, particularly in the eastern regions of the country.

The NATO leader met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. During the meeting, Rutte vowed to bolster Western support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.

Speaking at the joint news conference along with the Ukrainian President, Rutte expressed optimism about continuing cooperation between NATO and Ukraine, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections in November. “I am confident that I can work with whoever is elected president of the United States,” Rutte said, referring to NATO’s most powerful member and a key supplier of military aid to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy and Rutte discussed several aspects of Ukraine’s so-called “victory plan,” which seeks to coordinate long-term military strategy and support for Ukraine. This plan is expected to feature prominently at a NATO meeting next week at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where defense leaders from over 50 partner nations will gather to coordinate weapons aid for the war effort.

The Ukrainian president stressed the importance of military assistance, highlighting that Ukraine still needs additional weaponry, particularly long-range missiles, which the country has been requesting for some time.

Important visit to #Kyiv to meet my friend, President @ZelenskyyUa. We discussed the areas where #Ukraine needs further support. As the new #NATO Secretary General, it is my priority to take this support forward to ensure that Ukraine prevails. pic.twitter.com/jROe82yF8c

— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) October 3, 2024

The meeting also addressed Ukraine’s military situation on the ground, as Zelenskyy emphasized the challenges his forces face, especially against Russia’s use of advanced weaponry like glide bombs, which have proven difficult to counter. These bombs have wreaked havoc on both Ukrainian military defenses and civilian infrastructure, with Zelenskyy underscoring their deadly impact.

Zelenskyy also raised concerns about the role of Iran in supplying Russia with missiles and drones. He noted that both the U.S. and Britain have pointed to Iran’s provision of weaponry to Russia, which has been used against Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader appealed for more significant military support, urging Western countries to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons so that Ukraine could strike deep into Russian territory. “Of course, we want Ukraine to not be forgotten,” Zelenskyy said. “But the best way not to forget about Ukraine is to provide the appropriate weapons and the necessary permissions.”

Zelenskyy also made a pointed appeal for Western support to help intercept the same Iranian missiles and drones that have plagued Ukraine’s cities, drawing a parallel to similar efforts in Israel. “And to help shoot down … the same Iranian missiles or drones, just as they are shot down over Israel, to shoot them down in the same way over Ukraine,” Zelenskyy urged.

Rutte’s visit came just hours after a Russian glide bomb struck a five-story apartment block in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, injuring at least 12 people, including a three-year-old girl. The bomb hit the building between the third and fourth floors, sparking a fire and leaving the structure in ruins. Ukrainian firefighters worked through the night to search for survivors among the debris.

Kharkiv, which lies only 30 kilometers from the Russian border, has been subjected to repeated aerial attacks throughout the war. Russian forces continue to launch glide bombs from within their territory, a tactic that has terrorized civilians and strained Ukraine’s ability to maintain frontline defenses. On Wednesday, Russian forces used these weapons to seize the strategically important town of Vuhledar, forcing Ukrainian troops to withdraw in the face of overwhelming firepower.

At the joint news conference, Zelenskyy defended the decision to pull Ukrainian forces out of Vuhledar, stating it was better to save the lives of soldiers for future battles. He reiterated that the attack in Kharkiv demonstrated the pressing need for increased military aid from Ukraine’s Western allies.

The war in Ukraine has settled into a grueling conflict, with both sides making incremental gains but neither able to achieve a decisive breakthrough. Ukraine’s much-vaunted counteroffensive, which began earlier this year, has largely stalled as Russian forces have fortified their positions and launched their own assaults in the east. Zelenskyy’s government faces a critical manpower shortage on the front lines, as Ukrainian troops work to repel Russia’s grinding advances.

Though Russia’s progress has been slow, it has steadily gained ground, pushing Ukrainian forces back and capturing key towns and villages in the eastern Donetsk region. The use of advanced weapons, like glide bombs, has played a significant role in these successes.

Cross-border aerial attacks between Ukraine and Russia remain a nightly occurrence. On Thursday, Ukraine’s air force reported that it had destroyed 78 out of 105 Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight. These drone attacks targeted 15 different regions across Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that it had intercepted 113 Ukrainian drones over four Russian regions along the border.

NATO stands with all Ukrainians bravely pushing back the Russian invaders, defending their freedom, and helping to safeguard our shared security#StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/JtNNUJ8wpZ

— NATO (@NATO) October 4, 2024

As the war drags into its third year, the situation remains tense, with no end in sight. NATO’s continued support, spearheaded by figures like Mark Rutte, will be crucial for Ukraine as it seeks to fend off Russian advances and ultimately secure its territory.