Europe ready to 'take the lead' in providing security guarantees to Ukraine - Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, after meeting with leaders of several European countries in Paris, emphasized that Europe is ready and willing to strengthen itself and take the initiative to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.

Rutte also stressed that this was his perspective on the current meeting in Paris.

"Europe is ready and willing to step up. To lead in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. Ready and willing to invest a lot more in our security," the NATO chief said in his post.

Additionally, Rutte highlighted the need to further define the details but reassured that the commitments are clear.

The leaders of European countries and the NATO Secretary General at the emergency summit in Paris (photo: x.com/SecGenNATO)

Emergency summit in Paris and security guarantees for Ukraine

Earlier, it was reported that on the night of February 18, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared details of his conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron after the European leaders' summit in Paris. The parties, in particular, coordinated their positions on security guarantees for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy noted that we have a shared vision: there must be reliable, strong security guarantees, and added that important issues are being resolved.

Western media reported that one of the key topics of the summit in Paris was further support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

According to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, no decisions were made regarding the situation in Ukraine at the emergency summit in Paris.

Earlier, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated that US President Donald Trump wants to end the Russia-Ukraine war, with security guarantees placed on Europe.

Ukraine views NATO membership as the primary mechanism for preventing future aggression from Russia. However, the North Atlantic Alliance has stated that Ukraine's accession may happen in the future.

Recently, President Zelenskyy mentioned that in case Ukraine is not accepted into NATO, an alternative plan has already been prepared. The president explained that this Plan B involves doubling the size of Ukraine's military and expanding financial and military support from Western countries.

On February 16, Reuters revealed details of the US request for security guarantees for Ukraine from Europe.

Additionally, in a recent interview with NBC News, Zelenskyy answered questions about the security guarantees needed for Ukraine. The president expressed the need for a powerful missile package, a large army, EU involvement, and a defense system from other countries like in Israel.