NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the significance of the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday in Alaska. Rutte indicated that this meeting will serve as a crucial test in efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. In his remarks to ABC News’ This Week co-anchor Jonathan Karl, Rutte stated, “Next Friday will be important because it will be about testing Putin—how serious he is on bringing this terrible war to an end.”
Rutte outlined that the discussions will center around several critical issues, including territory, security guarantees, and the essential recognition of Ukraine's sovereignty. He stressed that Ukraine must have the autonomy to decide its own future, indicating that it should not face limitations regarding its military capabilities or NATO's presence along the eastern flank. Rutte remarked, “The president wants to end this. He wants to end the terrible loss of life.”
Highlighting the current situation, Rutte acknowledged that Russia controls parts of Ukraine's prewar territory. He stated, “The question will be how to go forward past a ceasefire, including what it means in terms of security guarantees for Ukraine.” He emphasized the need for any future agreements to recognize Russia's de facto control over certain territories while ensuring it does not translate into political legitimacy.
In recent comments, Trump hinted at the possibility of "some swapping of territories" as part of a potential peace deal. This suggestion has been met with strong opposition from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who firmly rejected any notion of ceding Ukrainian territory, particularly in the eastern Donbas region. Zelenskyy insisted that Kyiv must be included in all negotiations. Similarly, several European nations have echoed that peace talks should not progress without Ukraine's participation.
While Rutte praised Trump's intentions for the meeting, former national security adviser John Bolton voiced concerns regarding Trump's approach towards Putin. Bolton stated, "I think Trump has made some mistakes already, number one in holding this meeting on American soil, legitimizing a pariah leader of the rogue state." He warned that this summit could give Putin an advantage by allowing him to present his peace plan first, thus manipulating the negotiations to his benefit.
When asked by Karl about the potential risks of rewarding Russia through this summit, Rutte defended the meeting, stating, "No, I don't think the risk is there." He acknowledged Bolton's concerns but highlighted that Trump has exerted significant pressure on Russia, including recent tariffs on India, which have impacted Russian oil sales. Rutte also pointed to the increased provision of lethal weaponry to Ukraine, funded by European allies but delivered by the United States, as evidence of Trump's commitment to ending the conflict while maintaining pressure on Putin.
Bolton further critiqued Trump's strategy, suggesting that while the relationship between Trump and Putin has fluctuated, Putin aims to restore his influence over Trump. He expressed concern that Zelenskyy might be pressured into accepting terms that align more closely with Trump's comfort rather than Ukraine's needs. Bolton asserted, "I think this is a very risky meeting upcoming from the perspective not just of Ukraine, but the Western alliance."
In summary, as the world awaits the impending summit between Trump and Putin, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte remains optimistic about the potential for progress in the ongoing war in Ukraine, while also acknowledging the complexities and risks involved in the negotiations.
