NATO Chief: Ukraine must negotiate from strength, no "Minsk-3" repeat

In the search for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine, NATO allies must focus on two key priorities: securing a strong negotiating position for Ukraine and ensuring a stable and lasting peace that must not resemble a "Minsk-3" agreement or allow Russia to seize Ukrainian territories again.

This statement was made in Brussels by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of defense ministers, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

"We have to make sure that we concentrate on the big issues. And one big issue number one is to make sure that talks start, that Ukraine is in a position that Putin knows he has to come to the table and it is for him crucial to come to a deal on Ukraine, so Ukraine has to be in a strong position. And again, as I said before, it is crucial that when the deal is struck, it will not unravel. We have seen in 2014 what happened with Minsk – we thought the deal was there to stay, but it didn’t. Putin simply continued to grab pieces of Ukraine, and then, in 2022, he started a full onslaught. We can never ever have that again," Rutte emphasized.

Answering journalists' questions, he noted that yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made significant announcements. However, Rutte stressed that NATO, as an alliance of democracies, must discuss all issues openly.

"We all want peace, that peace has to be enduring, we have to make sure that Ukraine is in the best possible position. For Europeans, (it is crucial) to step up defense spending and defense industrial production," Rutte stated.

Commenting on Donald Trump’s reported conversation with Putin, and how it aligns with the principle of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine", Rutte pointed out that Washington had sent several messages, including one about a long phone call between U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky.

"We will see how this progresses from now on step by step. Of course, this is crucial that we talk about Ukraine, that Ukraine is closely involved in everything happening about Ukraine," Rutte added.

According to him, these issues will be discussed at today’s NATO defense ministers' meeting and during a working lunch with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, where further developments in NATO-Ukraine relations will be reviewed.