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NATO to Classify Military Aid to Ukraine as Rutte Meets Zelenskyy in Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with newly appointed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kyiv in a high-level visit ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague.
The talks focused on bolstering air defense, securing long-term support from the Alliance, and preparing a new phase in NATO’s approach to military aid transparency, as was reported on June 17.
“This visit is a clear signal that NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as needed,” Zelenskyy said following their meeting. “We discussed further integration, additional weapons systems, and long-term defense cooperation.”
During the talks, Rutte informed Zelenskyy that NATO will begin classifying detailed information on military assistance to Ukraine. The decision—set to be ratified at the upcoming NATO summit—aims to prevent Russia from exploiting data on arms transfers and support volumes.
“We must protect sensitive information,” Rutte stated. “Russia is actively trying to trace how, what, and when we deliver military aid to Ukraine. NATO must respond accordingly.”
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s immediate needs: air defense systems, ammunition for existing platforms, and advanced counter-drone capabilities. He emphasized that Ukrainian civilians remain under threat from near-daily Russian air strikes. “Russia’s terror requires a modern, layered air defense. This is not just a military issue—it is about protecting lives,” he told the press.
According to NATO officials, the Alliance has delivered more than €20 billion in military assistance to Ukraine in 2025 alone. That includes both direct arms shipments and financing for industrial-scale production of weapons within and outside Ukraine. The upcoming classification policy will not curtail these flows but will reduce visibility into quantities, delivery timelines, and system types.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands has pledged an additional €400 million in military support for Ukraine. The funds will be directed toward ammunition, air defense, and maintenance of previously supplied systems, reinforcing The Hague’s long-term security commitments to Kyiv.
