USA and Europe continue critical support for Ukraine - NATO Secretary General Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in an interview with CBS News, emphasized that the USA and European countries continue close cooperation in supporting Ukraine, while balancing other international interests, including Iran and European energy security.

According to Rutte, the USA is again providing Ukraine with critical intelligence and weapons supplies, working together with European allies: " Then on Ukraine, it is again the U.S. providing critical intelligence support and weapons flow, working together with Europeans to secure Ukraine’s fight against the Russians, making sure they have what they need."

He noted that at the same time, Washington must consider other international priorities, in particular stability in the Persian Gulf: "This takes time, as countries had to prepare for this, not knowing the details of the first strike on Iran, and for good reasons," the NATO Secretary General emphasized.

According to him, all partners are now uniting to guarantee freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Rutte added that US President Donald Trump and his team are coordinating actions with the Ukrainian side and putting pressure on Russia in an attempt to ensure the end of the war.

"He was the only one who was able to break the death lock with Putin when he made the first phone call in February last year, and he has consistently, with his team, done what is necessary to put that pressure, of course, on the Ukrainians, and they want to play ball. They show this. They want to end the war, and are also with the Russians," Rutte noted.