Rutte on reports of US pressure: Only Ukraine can decide on territorial issues

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said that only Ukraine can decide on issues related to its territory, amid reports of U.S. pressure on Kyiv to withdraw from parts of Donbas in exchange for stronger post-war security guarantees.

He said this at a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels while presenting the Alliance's annual report, Ukrinform reports.

"Let us agree that all of us want this war to end – the United States, European part of NATO, Canada, but also Ukraine. Ukraine also wants this war to end. But it has to be a lasting end. It means that after the war ends, we have to make sure that Ukraine is sovereign, that Ukraine is secure," Rutte said.

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He also added that under the leadership of Donald Trump, the peace process has accelerated, but the key element in ensuring Ukraine's security and sovereignty is security guarantees.

"This is why it is also important that in Paris in January, the United States and the Coalition of the Willing agreed on security guarantees, because this prevents Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine post a long-term ceasefire or, preferably, a full peace deal. But when it comes to territory, any decisions on territory clearly are for Ukraine to take," Rutte said.

Photo: NATO