This is reported by Kyiv24
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized during a discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Russia’s war against Ukraine is currently the most important issue for the North Atlantic Alliance and Europe. He warned that excessive attention to other matters, particularly regarding Greenland, could distract from the real threat to the security of European and American partners.
NATO’s Focus Must Remain on Supporting Ukraine
Mark Rutte stressed that while international discussions are ongoing, Russia continues its massive attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, using missiles and drones during severe frosts. According to him, support for Ukraine must remain a priority for European countries and the United States, as the security of both continents depends on it.
“The focus on Ukraine must be our number one priority. Only after that can we discuss all other issues, including Greenland. But first – Ukraine, because it is critically important for European and American security!” – said Rutte.
The NATO chief noted that the €90 billion in aid promised by the European Union to Ukraine will only become available in March, April, and May, so real support takes time. He emphasized the danger of losing focus due to peace negotiations or financial assistance, as Ukrainians are already lacking interceptors and modern weapons, particularly American-made ones, which are difficult to obtain in Europe.
Maintaining Alliance Unity and the Role of the U.S.
Mark Rutte specifically highlighted the need for unity among allied countries, especially in relations with the United States. He stated that the issue of Greenland should be addressed in a friendly and allied atmosphere. According to the Secretary General, the U.S. remains a key component of NATO, and any internal disagreements should be resolved diplomatically to avoid jeopardizing collective security.
He reminded that out of the 32 NATO countries, 23 are also EU members, but they account for only a quarter of the Alliance’s total GDP, while 75% of GDP is outside the European Union. Rutte emphasized the indispensable role of the U.S. and its president as the leader of the free world, and noted that it was thanks to Donald Trump’s position that eight European economies and Canada were able to reach the target defense spending level of 2% of GDP by 2025.
Rutte also responded to U.S. President’s doubts about the readiness of European allies to fulfill their commitments in the event of a threat. He reminded that after the events of September 11, 2001, NATO’s Article 5 was invoked, and allies demonstrated mutual support. The NATO Secretary General expressed confidence that the U.S. and European countries will continue to be reliable partners in ensuring collective security.
During the World Economic Forum in Davos, negotiations also took place between representatives of the Russian Federation and special envoys of the U.S. president regarding a possible future peace agreement. According to participants, the talks were positive in nature, although details were not disclosed. At the same time, U.S. representatives met with a Ukrainian delegation over the past weekend, which confirmed the continuation of negotiations in the near future.