NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte rejected suggestions that the United States is not putting enough pressure on Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine, speaking to journalists before a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on 12 February.
When asked about alleged insufficient pressure from Washington on Moscow, Rutte called such accusations unfair.
"The very premise of the question is unfair. The US is putting various pressure on Russia, as the Europeans are doing – through sanction packages... Look at what's happening with Lukoil, Rosneft and others," Rutte said, according to Ukinform. He said that the US continues to provide Ukraine with critically important weapons through the PURL initiative.
Addressing the presence of US Deputy Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby at the meeting, Rutte pointed out that this official has consistently advocated for strengthening the defense capabilities of European allies.
The Secretary General also emphasized Washington's leading role in peace initiatives.
"There is only one country, the most powerful nation on Earth, the US, that can do this under President Trump's leadership, break the deadlock with Putin, start a peace process," Rutte said, adding that the US is doing "exactly what we need when it comes to Ukraine."
Rutte highlighted what he called "good news" from British Defense Minister John Healey, who announced £500 million for air defense through both bilateral aid and the PURL program.
"The Ukrainians are unwavering, they are fighting, but missiles continue to hit their civilian infrastructure and civilians," Rutte said.
He noted that the overall trend in NATO shows European allies and Canada are increasing their support: "More billions for defense, ramping up the defense industrial base, supporting Ukraine's resilience."
According to Ukrinform, the NATO defense ministers meeting at Alliance headquarters in Brussels on 12 February includes a Ukraine-NATO Council session and a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, jointly chaired by the UK and Germany.
