NATO Secretary General unexpectedly arrives in Odesa, holds talks with Ukrainian President Zelensky

Speaking after talks with President Zelensky, Mr. Rutte said that US President Donald Trump's efforts to promote a ceasefire and lasting peace in Ukraine were "not easy."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

On April 15, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte said he made a surprise visit to the city of Odesa, southern Ukraine, and met with host country President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Speaking after talks with President Zelensky, Mr. Rutte said that US President Donald Trump's efforts to promote a ceasefire and lasting peace in Ukraine were "not easy."

“These discussions have not been easy,” he said. “But we all support President Trump’s efforts for peace.”

Besides, the NATO Secretary General also affirmed that the alliance is committed to continuing to provide security support to Ukraine.

For his part, the Ukrainian leader said: "Britain, France and other NATO countries are actively preparing security forces in Ukraine. It is important that we all be fast enough and effective in this process."

Mr. Zelensky also stressed that Ukraine is in dire need of additional air defense systems.

Mr Rutte's visit comes as the US seeks to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Senior US and Russian officials recently gave different assessments about the possibility of reaching an agreement to end the more than three-year conflict in Ukraine.

The US side expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement, while the Russian side was more cautious, noting factors that would make it difficult to reach consensus./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tong-thu-ky-nato-bat-ngo-den-odesa-hoi-dam-voi-tong-thong-ukraine-zelensky-post1032003.vnp