NATO chief Mark Rutte visits Ukraine/ Ukraine requests long-range weapons/ Russia escalates war in Ukraine/ Kharkiv bombing by Russia/ Vuhledar captured by Russia/ Newslooks/ KYIV/ UKRAINE/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ New NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte visited Kyiv, pledging unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to battle Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed for more military aid, including long-range weapons, during their talks. The visit comes as Russia steps up attacks, including a glide bomb strike in Kharkiv that injured civilians.
NATO’s Mark Rutte Visits Ukraine Amid Intensifying Russian Assault: Quick Looks
- NATO Support Reaffirmed: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte made his first official visit to Kyiv, pledging continued support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
- Talks with Zelenskyy: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed for more long-range weapons and Western permission to strike inside Russia during discussions with Rutte.
- Kharkiv Bombing: Russian airstrikes, including a glide bomb attack on a residential building in Kharkiv, left several civilians injured, including a 3-year-old girl.
- Vuhledar Falls: Russian forces captured the strategic town of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine, dealing a blow to Ukraine’s defenses.
- Airstrikes Continue: Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 78 Russian drones overnight, while Russian forces shot down over 100 Ukrainian drones in cross-border attacks.
NATO Chief Mark Rutte Visits Ukraine, Reaffirms Support
Deep Look
New NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte visited Ukraine on Thursday, marking his first official trip since taking office earlier this week. During his visit to Kyiv, Rutte reiterated NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia, a conflict that has dragged on for over two years. His visit came at a critical time, as Russian forces ramped up their offensive in Ukraine’s eastern regions and air raid sirens blared across the capital during the talks.
Rutte met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who emphasized the need for continued military aid from NATO, particularly long-range weapons, which Ukraine has been requesting for months. The two leaders discussed Ukraine’s battlefield challenges and Zelenskyy’s “victory plan” ahead of a NATO defense leaders’ meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany next week. The meeting is expected to bring together more than 50 partner nations to coordinate weapons aid for Ukraine.
Calls for More Long-Range Weapons
In his discussions with Rutte, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s need for long-range weapons and urged NATO allies to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to use Western-supplied weaponry to strike targets deep inside Russia. Zelenskyy also voiced concerns that the ongoing war in the Middle East could divert international attention and resources away from Ukraine’s fight.
“Of course, we want Ukraine to not be forgotten. But the best way not to forget about Ukraine is to provide the appropriate weapons and permissions,” Zelenskyy said. He specifically noted the importance of being able to shoot down Iranian missiles and drones supplied to Russia, similar to how Israel is defending against similar attacks.
Rutte’s Commitment to Ukraine
Rutte, who took over as NATO chief just days ago, reiterated NATO’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine. He emphasized that recent NATO initiatives, including $44 billion in funding and bilateral security agreements, have strengthened Ukraine’s path toward eventual NATO membership.
“Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before,” Rutte said, adding that NATO’s steps have “built a bridge” to Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance.
Rutte’s visit coincided with an intensification of the Russian offensive in Ukraine. On Wednesday night, a Russian glide bomb struck a five-story residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. The attack left at least 12 people injured, including a young child. Ukrainian authorities said firefighters worked through the night to rescue people trapped under the rubble.
Russia’s Capture of Vuhledar and Escalating Strikes
The war’s toll continued to grow on Thursday as Russian forces captured the strategically important town of Vuhledar in the eastern Donetsk region. The Ukrainian military, which had been struggling with manpower shortages and heavy Russian artillery bombardments, was forced to withdraw from the town. Zelenskyy defended the decision, saying it was necessary to save Ukrainian soldiers’ lives and allow them to fight another day.
Russia’s use of glide bombs in the attack on Kharkiv and during the Vuhledar offensive has raised alarms. Ukraine has no effective countermeasure for these bombs, which are launched from aircraft inside Russian airspace and can strike targets with devastating accuracy. The capture of Vuhledar marks another incremental but significant gain for Russian forces, as Ukraine faces growing pressure on the front lines.
Iranian Involvement and Middle Eastern Dynamics
Iran’s role in supplying missiles and drones to Russia was also a major topic of discussion during Rutte’s visit. Zelenskyy pointed to the ongoing war in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, as evidence of Iran’s aggressive behavior on the global stage. He stressed that Iran’s military support for Russia is prolonging the conflict in Ukraine and urged Western countries to take decisive action.
“We need to shoot down Iranian missiles in Ukraine just as they are being shot down over Israel,” Zelenskyy said, underscoring the need for additional air defense capabilities.
Meanwhile, both sides in the Ukraine conflict have maintained regular aerial attacks. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 78 out of 105 Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight, while Russian forces claimed to have destroyed over 100 Ukrainian drones in border regions, including Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk.
Moving Forward Amid Escalating Tensions
The situation in Ukraine remains dire, as Russian forces continue to make gradual gains on the battlefield, particularly in the eastern regions. The capture of Vuhledar represents a key victory for Russia, and the increased use of glide bombs is straining Ukraine’s defenses. The conflict shows no signs of abating, and the pressure on NATO and its allies to step up their support for Ukraine is only increasing.
Rutte’s visit to Kyiv served as a symbolic gesture of NATO’s commitment, but the road ahead remains uncertain as Ukraine grapples with an increasingly dangerous battlefield and a shifting international focus. With Iran’s involvement deepening and fears of a wider war growing, Ukraine’s leaders are calling for more robust international support to turn the tide of the conflict.
