NATO chief Mark Rutte on Tuesday said he was “confident” US efforts to end the Ukraine war could bring peace, as Washington’s representatives were in Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We are all working to bring the war against Ukraine to an end, with a just and lasting peace. We welcome the ongoing efforts led by the United States to make this a reality,” Rutte told journalists.
“I am confident that these sustained efforts will, eventually, restore peace in Europe.”
The head of the Western military alliance said Kyiv had already shown that it was ready to “play ball” with US President Donald Trump’s efforts.
“Today, we will see whether the Russians are willing also to engage. That’s now being tested,” he said.
NATO foreign ministers will discuss the US push to stop the fighting at a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday — but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is skipping the gathering, in a highly unusual step.
Europe has largely been sidelined by Washington, leading to fears among Ukraine’s backers that Kyiv could be forced to accept a deal that favours Moscow.
Rutte insisted that he was in close contact with Rubio and said not to “read anything into” the absence of the US top diplomat, who will be sending his deputy instead.
NATO members have insisted that no issue relating to the alliance should be discussed without Europe — after the United States appeared to put Ukraine’s possible membership on the table.
“When it comes to the NATO elements of a deal to end the war against Ukraine, that will be dealt with separately, and that obviously will include NATO,” Rutte said.
He insisted that the door remained open on Kyiv’s membership push, but pointed out that currently “there is no consensus on Ukraine joining NATO”.
As Washington presses on with its efforts, Rutte said NATO allies would look to keep support flowing to Kyiv — including with purchases of US weaponry.
He said he expected fresh announcements from European allies at the meeting in Brussels that they will contribute to a scheme to buy American arms for Ukraine.
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