NATO's Rutte: Ukraine needs more than promises, sustained aid essential

2026-02-24 - 12:02

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Tuesday stressed the need for sustained and increased support to Ukraine, saying promises alone will not end the Moscow-Kyiv war as it reaches its fourth anniversary. Speaking at a commemorative ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Rutte said the alliance gathered to mark "yet another terrible anniversary" of what he described as four years of "unforgiving war." Aid Urgency Rutte reiterated that NATO has stood with Ukraine since the war's start and will continue to do so. "It is imperative that Ukraine continues to get the military, financial, and humanitarian aid it needs," he said, stressing such assistance is necessary for Kyiv to defend itself and hold frontlines. "This support is essential. Ukraine needs more. Because a promise of help does not end a war. Ukraine needs ammunition today and every day until the bloodshed stops." Putin's Posturing Despite what he described as Russian President Vladimir Putin's posturing, Rutte said Moscow "has failed to achieve its battlefield ambitions," adding the Kremlin must demonstrate whether it is serious about pursuing peace. "Their (Ukrainian) security is our security. There cannot be true peace in Europe without real peace in Ukraine," he stressed. Post-War Guarantees Rutte highlighted the need for strong Ukrainian armed forces and credible security guarantees from partners—including Europe, Canada, and the US—once fighting ends, to ensure durable peace. Such guarantees would provide stability for Ukraine's reconstruction and long-term prosperity.