NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed his support for President Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for this Friday. Speaking on CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” Rutte emphasized that this meeting could be a crucial step toward peace negotiations regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Rutte noted that Trump has the opportunity to "break the deadlock" in discussions with Putin. He addressed concerns about comparing this meeting to past instances of appeasement, stating that the goal is to assess Putin’s seriousness about a ceasefire. Rutte highlighted that Ukraine must be included in any discussions about peace talks, security guarantees, and territorial issues.
“It’s really crucial that a meeting takes place,” Rutte said, stressing the importance of putting pressure on Russia, which he believes Trump has been doing effectively for the past six months. He pointed out that only Trump could gauge how committed Putin is to ending the conflict.
The backdrop of this meeting includes Putin’s reported demands for Ukraine to cede control of its eastern regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Trump suggested that a peace deal might involve "some swapping" of territories, a notion that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejected, asserting that Ukrainians will not surrender their land.
Zelensky conveyed his stance in a video message, stating that any decisions made without Ukraine’s involvement would be counterproductive and would not lead to peace. He emphasized that the Ukrainian people have increasingly shifted their views on the war, with a recent Gallup poll showing a rise in support for a negotiated solution, now at 69%, while support for continuing the fight has dropped to 24%.
As the world watches, the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin could have significant implications for the future of Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.
