FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday to discuss Ukrainian and European security, according to the presidential press service.
During the meeting in the southern port city of Odesa, Zelensky and Rutte explored various formats of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO member states, including Ramstein format discussions.
The leaders also addressed Ukraine’s relations with the United States and Washington’s ongoing negotiations with Russia. Zelensky accused Moscow of “ignoring the U.S. proposal for a full ceasefire” and continuing strikes on Ukraine.
Zelensky emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense and expressed hope for the implementation of air defense agreements with European and U.S. partners.
He noted that NATO countries, including the UK and France, are actively laying the foundation for a security contingent in Ukraine.
Rutte reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and said alliance member states had pledged over 20 billion euros (about 22.5 billion U.S. dollars) in security assistance for 2025 during the first three months of this year.