Rutte reaffirmed that Ukraine’s future lies with NATO. “Of course, we must first deal with the war, and ensuring that Ukraine prevails as an independent, sovereign, and democratic nation is now our top priority. And I don’t want to get into the many paths to NATO membership right now because there are so many variations and alternatives, and that will also be heavily influenced by Ukrainian leadership and how this war unfolds,” he said. The NATO Secretary General also responded to the Kremlin’s latest nuclear threats. “We hear constant warnings from the Kremlin, and it’s true that Putin’s nuclear rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible,

I believe the Washington Summit definitely took the next step in the Summit’s conclusions [that Ukraine will join NATO], which I am very pleased about. And obviously, what we now have to focus on is the war effort, and to ensure that—and here’s the paradox: the more we aid Ukraine right now, the sooner this will end. And Putin must realize that we will not give in. That we want Ukraine to succeed. Finally, when it comes to peace, it is up to the Ukrainian government to decide when they are ready to discuss peace, hold peace talks, and so on. “That’s for later,” the NATO Secretary General stated.

The NATO Secretary General also responded to the Kremlin’s latest nuclear threats. “We hear regular threats from the Kremlin and it’s true that Putin’s nuclear rhetoric is reckless and irresponsible, but at the same time, let me make it absolutely clear, we do not see any imminent threat of nuclear weapons being used,” Rutte told reporters.