President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Odessa.
The head of state thanked for the constant support of Ukraine from the first days of exacerbation of the conflict, when Mark Rutte was still the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. The President noted that as then they managed to do many important things together, so now you can do a lot thanks to the general efforts.
“Absolutely everyone sees how much the need for Ukraine for air defense systems and missiles to them. We talked a lot about this today. Everyone sees how important it is to maintain pressure on Russia for this war and in order to squeeze Russia to be really ready in diplomacy,” Zelensky said.
In addition, during the meeting, it was about different formats of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO members. According to the president, it is important to maintain the effectiveness of the Ramstein format and the wide involvement of all partners.
Zelensky and Rutta devoted a significant part of the conversation to relations with the United States and the efforts of the American side in negotiations with Russia.
already 35 days [Russian President Vladimir] Putin ignores the American proposal for a complete ceasefire. Recent Russian blows on a crooked horn, on sums, in our other cities demonstrate that Russians are not only tuned to the continuation of the war, but they themselves are rather pressed to the west, what they feel the power of pressure on themselves, ”the head of state said.
He also emphasized that Ukraine expects that all agreements with partners in Europe and America for air defense will be implemented.
“It is also important that we all work together as part of the coalition who wish and can ensure safety. Britain, France, other NATO countries are already actively preparing the basis for the security contingent in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
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Mark Rutte condemned blows to the Ukrainian cities, including the shelling of Sumy Ballistic missiles on Palm Sunday.
“I am here today, because I believe that the people of Ukraine deserves a real world, real security and security in their country, in their homes. My heart with the people of Ukraine. With those who have lost their relatives in these recent blows and many years. With those who were wounded, lost housing or whose dreams were destroyed by this unfair and illegal war,” said NATO Secretary General.
He also assured that the North Atlantic Alliance will stand with Ukraine. According to him, in the first three months of this year, NATO member countries promised to allocate more than 20 billion euros of assistance to Ukraine for 2025.