NATO will not be intimidated by Russian threats and will maintain its support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated during his first visit to the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, Reuters reported on October 14.
“The message (to Vladimir Putin) is that we will continue, that we will do what’s necessary to make sure that he will not get his way, that Ukraine will prevail,” Rutte said in an interview with Reuters and German public broadcaster Hessischer Rundfunk.
Reuters notes that Rutte’s strong stance on support for Ukraine is being viewed in the context of the upcoming US presidential election, as former President Donald Trump—who has been critical of NATO allies—could return to power.
“NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine” (NSATU) creation, was announced at the summit in Washington on July 11th. There was no direct invitation for Ukraine to join NATO at the summit, but NATO attested that the country is on an “irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration.”
NSATU will consist of around 700 personnel from NATO allies. Its headquarters will be based in Wiesbaden, Germany, with key logistical hubs in the alliance’s eastern flank.
Earlier, Rutte has declared that Ukraine will be a top priority in his leadership of the Alliance.
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