US continues intelligence and weapons support to Ukraine via Europe — NATO chief
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (photo: Getty Images)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the United States continues to support Ukraine by providing intelligence and supplying weapons through European partners, according to his interview with CBS News.
During the conversation, the host noted that US President Donald Trump recently criticized Europe for Washington helping it with Ukraine, while in response, the NATO alliance did not join the US military operation against Iran.
Commenting on the Ukraine segment, Rutte confirmed that assistance from Washington is indeed ongoing.
"Then on Ukraine, it is again the US providing critical intelligence support and weapons flow, working together with Europeans to secure Ukraine's fight against the Russians, making sure they have what they need," NATO Secretary General said.
He was also asked about easing of sanctions on Russian oil and benefits for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin from the war in Iran, to which Rutte said that Donald Trump is forced to balance on this issue.
"Well, this is the thing the president has to balance: all these different interests. I know that he is with his team, with Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Marco Rubio. They are constantly working with the Ukrainians to put maximum pressure on the Russians to come to a deal," an official said.
NATO Secretary General added that while in London, he spoke for about an hour and a half with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, noting that he wants the end of the war.
"He wants to get the deal done, and we have to make sure that we also take this to the Russians, to make sure that they are willing to play ball," he explained.
Rutte emphasized that it is Trump who is putting pressure on Russia together with the Europeans. According to him, he will not comment on every element. All efforts of the US president are decisive and aimed at the successful end of the war.
Summing up, he added that Trump was the only one who managed to move the situation with Putin from a dead point, while at the same time putting pressure on the Ukrainian side.
What is known about assistance to Ukraine and the peace process
Recently, Politico learned that Russian authorities offered the United States a deal. Moscow promised to stop intelligence sharing with Iran if Washington stops such sharing with Ukraine. However, the Trump administration rejected these proposals.
Due to the conflict in the Middle East, trilateral meetings of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia were postponed for an unknown period. However, on Saturday and Sunday, meetings between Kyiv and Washington resumed.
Last evening, Steve Witkoff reported that the main topics of negotiations were the parameters of future security architecture and the coordination of humanitarian efforts in the region.
