Mark Rutte, NATO’s newly appointed Secretary-General, has cautioned U.S. President-elect Donald Trump against pressuring Ukraine into a peace agreement that benefits Moscow. Rutte warned such a move would pose a “dire threat” to the United States, empowering adversaries such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
Strengthening Adversarial Ties
In an interview with the Financial Times, Rutte highlighted the risks posed by the growing alignment of these powers, including missile technology exchanges between Russia and North Korea and financial flows from Moscow to Tehran. He suggested that any perceived weakness in Ukraine’s defence could embolden China to consider military action, potentially against Taiwan.
“We cannot have a situation where [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un, [Russian President] Vladimir Putin, [Chinese President] Xi Jinping, and Iran are celebrating a deal that undermines Ukraine. Long-term, this poses a severe security threat not only to Europe but to the U.S.,” Rutte said.
Meeting with Trump
Rutte addressed these concerns directly with Trump during a meeting in Florida on 22 November. Emphasising the broader implications of a compromised Ukraine, Rutte said he urged the President-elect to maintain U.S. engagement with NATO and continue military support for Kyiv.
Rutte pointed to missile threats from North Korea to the U.S. mainland and financial support from Russia to Iran, which he linked to funding groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. “These interconnected threats are escalating conflicts in multiple regions,” he stated.
NATO’s Strategic Priorities
As NATO foreign ministers meet in Brussels, Ukraine’s calls for a formal membership invitation remain a contentious topic. Rutte, however, prioritised boosting Ukraine’s military capabilities over immediate membership discussions.
“The most important task now is to ensure President Zelenskyy can enter peace talks from a position of strength,” Rutte said.
He stressed the need for air defence systems and offensive military support to help Ukraine resist Russian aggression.
Challenges with Trump’s Vision
Trump, during his campaign, pledged to resolve the Ukraine war within “24 hours,” proposing a freeze on current battle lines and initiating negotiations. His selection of retired General Keith Kellogg as a special envoy signals a potential shift in U.S. strategy toward de-escalation.
Rutte, who worked effectively with Trump during his first term as Dutch Prime Minister, expressed optimism about future cooperation. However, his remarks underscore NATO’s commitment to ensuring that peace agreements do not compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty or empower adversarial alliances.
Image source: nato.int
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