Zelenskyy meets NATO leaders in Brussels to strategize Ukraine’s defense
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (R) and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pose ahead of a meeting at the NATO Secretary General Residence, in Brussels, on December 18, 2024 on the sidelines of a EU-Western Balkans summit. (AFP Photo)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European leaders on Wednesday in Brussels to strategize on Ukraine’s defense and recovery efforts as the country faces intensified challenges from Russia’s invasion.
The discussions, which included leaders from Germany, Poland, Italy, Denmark, and key European Union institutions, focused on bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses, reinforcing its military, and planning post-war recovery strategies.
The meeting occurred at a crucial juncture as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to office, a development that has introduced uncertainty into the future of international support for Ukraine. Trump’s previous comments about swiftly ending the war have sparked fears among European allies that U.S. backing for Ukraine could diminish.
“Very much high on the agenda is to make sure that the president, his team, and Ukraine are in the best possible position one day when they decide to start peace talks,” Rutte said during a press briefing. He emphasized the urgency of military and economic aid, particularly air defense systems, to counter Russia’s persistent attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Unity among allies
Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the meeting, calling it a pivotal opportunity for European nations to present a unified stance on supporting Ukraine.
“It’s a very good opportunity to speak about security guarantees for Ukraine, for today and for tomorrow,” Zelenskyy said. He underscored the immediate need for air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians during the harsh winter months.
In addition to military aid, Rutte highlighted a Danish-Lithuanian initiative to procure weapons directly from Ukraine’s defense industry. “This is good news, because it means more weapons for Ukraine and also money for the Ukrainian economy,” Rutte said.
