Troops will be deployed in Ukraine instantly after peace deal with Russia, says NATO Chief Mark Rutte

Ukraine needs strong support. The coalition of the willing has made progress on guarantees, as mentioned by Zelenskyy. As soon as a peace deal is signed, there will instantly appear armed forces, planes in the sky, and maritime support from those in NATO who have agreed,” he said.

Since last summer, NATO members have provided 75% of all missiles supplied to the front, and 90% of those used for Ukraine’s air defence, he said.

European countries, fearing Moscow’s ambitions, see their own future security as being on the line in Ukraine.“

‘Your security is our security’

Be assured that NATO stands with Ukraine and is ready to do so for years to come,” Rutte said.

“Your security is our security. Your peace is our peace. And it must be lasting.”

“It is not just about today and sustaining your ability to bring this war to an end. It is also about the future and ensuring that any peace lasts. So that your children and grandchildren can grow up in freedom and without fear that Russia will try again to subjugate this great nation,” Rutte said.

The NATO Chief, however, admitted that it was not easy to get a deal done and acknowledged the Ukrainian skepticism about possible future attacks by Russia.

“Getting to an agreement to end this terrible war will require difficult choices. Ukraine needs to know with absolute certainty that whatever sacrifices you have made, the lives you have lost, the devastation you have endured will not be at risk of repetition. You need to know that this peace will be lasting not because papers have been signed but because there is hard power to back it up. You rightly do not want another Budapest memorandum or a Minsk agreement,” he said.

Russia launces massive attack on Ukraine

Rutte’s visit to Ukraine, in which he also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, came a day after Russia unleashed a massive drone and missile attack, including on Kyiv.

According to Zelenskyy, Russia fired around 450 long-range drones and 70 missiles of various types at Ukraine in a major attack overnight.

The bombardment of at least five regions of Ukraine specifically aimed the power grid, Zelenskyy said, as part of Moscow’s ongoing campaign to deny civilians light, heating and running water amid the coldest winter in years. At least 10 people were wounded, officials said.

“Taking advantage of the coldest days of winter to terrorize people is more important to Russia than diplomacy,” Zelenskyy said.

The attacks came a day before Russia and Ukraine were due to attend US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on ending the all-out war, which Russia launched nearly four years ago.