(VOVWORLD) - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday made an unannounced visit to Odesa, southern Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Odesa on April 15, 2025. (Photo: president.gov.ua) |
Speaking after the talks, Secretary General Rutte said US President Donald Trump's efforts to push for a ceasefire and long-term peace in Ukraine face significant challenges. Nonetheless, he affirmed that NATO supports President Trump’s peace initiatives and remains committed to providing continued security assistance to Ukraine.
President Zelensky, for his part, emphasized Ukraine’s urgent need for additional air defense systems.
Rutte’s visit coincides with renewed US efforts to broker a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
American and Russian officials have recently made different views on the prospects for peace. While the US has expressed optimism, Russian officials have highlighted ongoing obstacles that could hinder consensus.