“This is an important summit, where we will make key decisions on Ukraine, building on last year’s Washington summit that defined Ukraine’s irreversible path to NATO,” Rutte said. “We are building that bridge now.”
He added that European and Canadian allies have pledged over €35 billion ($37.5 billion) in assistance for Ukraine—an increase compared to last year.
“Of course, I cannot disclose the full details of the summit declaration,” Rutte said. “But I can say it will contain significant provisions regarding Ukraine and its future financial support.”
Rutte also condemned Russia’s recent attacks on civilians.
“In recent weeks, we’ve seen indiscriminate strikes targeting ordinary people going about their daily lives in Ukrainian cities—killed or wounded by Russian drones and other weapons,” he said. “It’s horrific.”
He emphasized that NATO’s support for Ukraine will not waver.
“I hear from every ally: we must keep Ukraine strong in this fight to bring about a lasting peace,” he said.
The NATO leaders' summit is taking place June 24–25 in The Hague, the Netherlands. It is the first summit under Secretary General Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister. While the war in Ukraine remains on the agenda, Western media suggest the main focus may shift to tensions in the Middle East.