Ukraine, Rutte: 'The burden of aid to Kiev falls on a few allies, it is not fair'

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, at the summit between the foreign ministers of the Atlantic alliance in Sweden, stated that a priority objective will be to 'maintain and strengthen' support for Ukraine. This, according to Rutte, means that financial and military aid 'should be distributed as fairly as possible' among NATO allies. The 'greatest burden', the secretary general continued, is currently borne by '6-7 allies' and a 'fairer' way must therefore be found.

"What I would like to achieve is a fairer distribution of the burden, a greater sharing of effort. Because at the moment it is only six or seven allies who bear the biggest burden. The good news is that their contribution is sufficient to ensure that Ukraine continues to have access to this crucial US equipment. But of course it would be fairer if, within NATO, and particularly in the European part of NATO, other allies would also do their part. But when it comes to support for Ukraine, and in particular political support for Ukraine, there is absolutely no question,' he added.

Rutte also spoke of a possible European contribution to securing passage through the Strait of Hormuz. "As far as the Strait of Hormuz is concerned, I think the Europeans have received the message" US and "many European countries are making sure to position some of their key ships and equipment close to the theatre of operations, e.g. equipment, ships and mine clearance systems, so that in the next phase we can be of maximum help as European allies of the United States to see how we can ensure freedom of navigation". At the moment, the passage remains blocked and the free movement of ships is seriously threatened, the Secretary General recalled.

Rutte also welcomed the announcement by the US president, Donald Trump, about sending five thousand soldiers to Poland. "Of course, I very much welcome yesterday's announcement," he said. "The trajectory we are on - namely a stronger Europe and a stronger NATO, aimed at ensuring that, over time and step by step, we become less dependent on a single ally, as we have been for so long, namely the United States - will continue. This will also open up the possibility and option for them to move more towards other priorities, which are also in our interest,' Rutte explained.

"We are here to lay the groundwork for what I believe will probably be one of the most important leaders' summits in Nato history", the one in Ankara on 7 and 8 July. This was stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a joint press point with Rutte. "The president's views, the delusion with some of our NATO allies and their reaction to our operations in the Middle East are well documented. These are issues that will have to be addressed. They will not be resolved or addressed today. It is an issue that the leaders will have to discuss,' Rubio added.