
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has visited the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and declared “unwavering” support for Ukraine in the aftermath of a Russian attack on the northern city of Sumy that killed 35 people.
Rutte said the military alliance was still strongly behind Kyiv, even as it also supported the ceasefire push by US president Donald Trump, who has issued fresh criticism of Zelenskyy, accusing him of starting the war. “Nato stands with Ukraine,” Rutte said at a press conference with Zelenskyy on Tuesday. “You and I know that this has been true all along. I also know that some have called Nato’s support into question in the last couple of months. But let there be no doubt: our support is unwavering.”
Rutte also said: “Russia is the aggressor, Russia started this war. There’s no doubt.” Zelenskyy said the main focus of the talks was strengthening Ukraine’s air defence. “Absolutely everyone sees how urgent Ukraine’s need is for air defence systems and missiles for them,” he posted on X.