NATO chief: The end of the war in Ukraine is possible this year

Ending the war in Ukraine by the end of 2025 is possible, although talks between the US and Ukrainian delegations in Geneva must continue, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He added that Russia would pose a long-term threat to Europe even after a peace agreement.

“Russia will pose a threat in the long term. If the Russian president (Vladimir Putin) is willing to sacrifice a million of his citizens in the name of the false belief that it is necessary to 'correct history', we must be prepared for it,” Rutte said in an interview with the Spanish daily El Pais published on Wednesday.

He did not rule out that the war in Ukraine started by Russia could end this year, stipulating that it is necessary for representatives of the US and Ukraine to continue talkswhich started last weekend in Geneva.

According to the former Dutch prime minister, the peace plan currently under discussion “is the basis for talks” between Kiev and Washington, although some of its points “require further work and dialogue.”

In an interview with “El Pais”, Rutte emphasized that admires the efforts made by US President Donald Trump to “break the deadlock in relations with Putin.” “I am really pleased with President Trump's leadership. I fully support him,” he emphasized. In his opinion, it was only thanks to the American that progress was achieved on issues such as increasing defense spending by NATO countries and actions to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

In the opinion of the Secretary General of the Alliance, Spain will soon have to allocate more funds to defense. The government in Madrid maintains that it is able to meet the Alliance's goals with spending at the level of 2.1%. GDP, but according to Rutte it is not enough. (PAP)

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