NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that the United States is taking all possible measures to maximize pressure on Russia and thereby contribute to the end of the war. He made this statement upon arriving at the NATO defense ministers’ meeting held on February 12 in Brussels.
This is reported by Kyiv24
US Sanctions and Diplomatic Influence
Mark Rutte noted that the US is acting not only independently but also in close cooperation with European partners, introducing new packages of sanctions against key Russian companies, including Lukoil and Rosneft. According to him, such restrictions and other actions by Washington are part of a comprehensive strategy to exert pressure on the Russian Federation.
“The US is exerting maximum pressure on Russia — just as Europeans are through sanctions packages. Look at what is happening with Lukoil and Rosneft, as well as other steps taken by the US,” Rutte stated in response to journalists’ requests to assess the role of the US in the peace process.
The Role of the US in Peace Negotiations and Military Support for Ukraine
The NATO Secretary General stressed that the US plays a key role in negotiations to achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia. He highlighted that the leadership of the United States, particularly President Donald Trump, is crucial for overcoming the stalemate in relations with the Kremlin and launching a full-fledged peace process.
Additionally, Mark Rutte drew attention to the ongoing military support that Washington provides to Ukraine. The US continues to send critically needed air defense systems and other types of lethal weapons to Ukraine under the PURL program, which is funded with the participation of Canadian and European partners.
Before the start of the meeting, Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonson announced plans to acquire a third package of weapons for Ukraine through this same program.
Rutte also mentioned that he recently informed President Donald Trump about the massive Russian shelling of Ukrainian energy infrastructure and emphasized that the American administration is fully aware of the complexity of the situation in Ukraine.