Mark Rutte & Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Joint Presser on NATO Support for Ukraine

delivered 17 October 2024, NATO HQ, Brussels, Belgium

Audio mp3 of Address       Audio AR-XE mp3 of Address

NATO SecGen: Rutte: Good afternoon, and a very warm welcome to President Zelenskyy.

Dear Volodymyr, it is great to welcome you here in Brussels. We last met in London after my visit two weeks ago to Kyiv. And of course we spoke about Ukraine’s most urgent needs and how best NATO can continue to support you, building on the important decisions Allied leaders made in Washington.

On Monday, I visited the new NATO command in Wiesbaden which will coordinate the security assistance and training for Ukraine. The men and women there are already hard at work to ensure that they can deliver for Ukraine -- so that you can prevail.

To do this, it will also be essential that we continue to provide military aid. And yesterday I announced that Allies are well on track to deliver on the financial pledge we made in Washington, with 20.9 billion euros in military assistance provided in the first half of this year, and we are on track to get to the 40 billion for the full year.

So NATO is working with Ukraine -- bringing you ever closer to the Alliance. And we are also working with other partners to bolster security for us all.

We just concluded before the President arrived the first session of our NATO Defense Ministerial with a meeting that included the European Union and our Indo-Pacific partners. And of course, Ukraine was also high on the agenda of that meeting. It was the first meeting when we had Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand participating in this format, a clear sign of our deepening cooperation in the face of our shared challenges.

The war in Ukraine has shown that instability in Europe can have far reaching consequences across the world; and that countries thousands of miles away -- as far away as Iran, China and even North Korea -- can become security spoilers in our own backyard. Our world is closely linked -- and so is our security. China has become a decisive enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine. And it cannot continue to fuel the biggest conflict in Europe since the second world war without this impacting on its interests and reputation. Iran and North Korea are fuelling Russia’s war machine with missiles and drones in return for support for their military industries.

So we must be clear-eyed in our assessment of the challenges we face. And we must work with our like-minded partners to address our shared challenges and uphold our common values.

At our Summit in Washington, NATO agreed to deepen practical cooperation with our Indo-Pacific partners. And today we discussed our joint efforts, including on
- support for Ukraine
- defense production and innovation
- cyber defense
- countering disinformation
- and new technologies, including artificial intelligence.

I want to take this opportunity to thank our Indo-Pacific partners and the EU for their outstanding support for Ukraine, including today the announcements made by Australia about [the] delivery of tanks to Ukraine. We are determined to work ever more closely together to defend our democratic values, and to promote a world based on the rule of law, not the rule of force.

Finally, I am looking forward tonight to the NATO-Ukraine Council working dinner this evening, and to our discussions.

President Zelenskyy, Dear Volodymyr, it is great to have you here at NATO Headquarters. I look forward to the day that Ukraine is here as a member of this Alliance. And until then, we will continue to do all that we can to ensure Ukraine prevails. This is vital for our shared security.

And with that, Volodymyr, it’s an honor to give you the floor.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Thank you so much, Mark. Thank you very much, dear Mark, dear journalists. This is already our third meeting with Mark Rutte in his new role as NATO Secretary General, and it fully reflects the level of our relationship between Ukraine and the alliance between both of us. Yes, thank you so much, Mark.

Thank you, Ukraine. Ukraine truly deserves to become the thirty-third NATO member one day. And we must do everything to ensure this happens. That is why the first fundamental point in the Victory Plan is the invitation to NATO. Ukrainians have shown that we can defend shared values. And we are standing against Russia, the biggest threat to Europe and global peace. In our revolutions, we've proven that we truly value democracy.

NATO's rules say that any country that shares common -- common values and can [inaudible] and protect others can join the Allies. Right now, inviting Ukraine to join NATO will strengthen us diplomatically and bring us closer to real and what is very important, fair peace. Being determined is the surest path to peace, and this is a realistic path. Everything Ukrainians have achieved so far seemed impossible not so long ago. Ukraine has withstood Russia's full-scale attack and is defending against the invasion. And we remain united, as does Europe, and we are boosting our defense capabilities and weapons production and coordinating like never before. Our skies are protected by patrols, NASAMS, IRIS-T, Crotale, Hawk, and other systems from our partners.

We are very thankful to our partners, and thanks to global support, we have saved 1000s, 1000s of lives. F16s are already in our skies, not too much for today, but anyway, we have them. And we are preparing to receive planes from France. Our soldiers hold their front lines with weapons from around the world, from America to Sweden, Türkiye to Canada. And it would be -- it would be wrong, of course, to leave Ukraine politically outside the Alliance, when, in practice, Ukraine is already part of NATO. That is why I'm grateful to every, every leader and every country that supports us. This is in entirely fair -- entirely fair.

And I thank all the defense companies. Of course, Mark mentioned about it. It is so important from partner countries that have already come to work in Ukraine and are producing weapons on our soil or in cooperation with us, with our companies. And I, thank everyone helping to rebuild our infrastructure after Russia attacks, especially now before winter, difficult winter. Every leader who praises Ukrainians’ resilience is really talking about our partnership. All the countries providing equipment, helping with reconstruction and supporting us with air defense systems.

Ukraine, together with our partners, knows how to achieve its goals, and this is what matters most. There are commitments made at the NATO summit in Washington in July, and we are still waiting for those commitments to be fulfilled, but we are thankful to our partners. It's very important to deliver on what is announced in support packages swiftly. And lives of our soldiers at the front depend exactly on it. And we need to strengthen the training missions and initiatives that really work to protect against Russian aggression, and not only in NATO countries, but also in Ukraine.

We have concluded nearly 30 bilateral security agreements with our partners. This is a set of agreements that are needed by both Ukraine and all of the Europe. And we count on the readiness of NATO members to ensure they already announced financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount totally of 40 billion Euros by the next NATO Summit in the Hague.

And I thank everyone. Everyone who -- who helps us, helps Ukraine. And today, at the meeting of our Ukraine NATO Council, we will focus on the steps that will provide us with more protection, more security.

Thanks so much. Thanks, Mark, for invitation.

Slava Ukraini. [Glory to Ukraine.]

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah: Thank you very much. We have very limited time for questions, I'm afraid. So, I will do my best to take as many as we can. I'll start with the BBC on the fourth row.

BBC [Jonathan Beale]: Thank you very much. Jonathan Beale, BBC News, if I could first of all ask President Zelenskyy, you said that your Victory Plan depends not on Russia, but on the will of your Partners. Do you think the will is there? Because if we look at two of your key objectives, membership of NATO, that doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon. And if we look at your desire to have Western supplied long-range missiles being used to hit targets in Russia, they've been debating that for months, no progress. So, you say it's realistic, I just wonder whether it is realistic. And then if I could ask you, Secretary General, I realize it's slightly not about what you've been discussing, but there are reports increasingly likely that the leader of Hamas has been killed. And I just wanted to get your reaction, and also, if you think this is an important time for Israel to take stock and review its military operations in Gaza, because they have, in essence, if they have killed him, the head of the snake.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah: I just want to emphasize it's one question per I apologize on time..

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Okay. Thank you very much for your question. It is not the first time I hear such question. What is realistic and what is not realistic? I remember the steps before the invasion. I remember the first days of the Russian invasion, a lot of different propositions, which are realistic for us to survive. So I believe in people, in our people, but not only in Ukrainians. First of all, in Ukrainians. The strongest weapon we had at the very beginning of the war in Ukraine was our people. I think this is the strategic weapon, but we lose them. That is the problem of the war, especially of a long war. It's a big tragedy for us, really, to lose our people, and that's why I believe in our people and the unity in Ukraine. If we will not lose unity in Ukraine, we will prevail. I'm sure, 100% that it also depends on the unity of our partners. It's really depends because the morality of people, you know, in a long war, it's understandable. All our feelings are understandable. I don't want to go further on this question, but I think you understand the strength of Ukraine. It’s not really about this kind or that kind of weapon. It depending on the will, and if our partners will not lose their unity.

NATO SecGen: Rutte: We will not lose this will! And we will not lose that unity. You can count on that.

And my message today to Vladimir Putin is that if he thinks we will, we will not. And today, again, is evidence. Look what Australia's have done, what the Germans are doing, what the US has done today, again, announcing almost half a billion in anti-missile defense systems. I've spoken over the last three weeks with all Allies, and we will massively make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to fight the war against Russia. We will continue doing that. And if anyone in the Kremlin will think that by sowing division, we will stop this. No, this will not happen, and Ukraine will be member of NATO. There is no doubt about it.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: It's so important, and that's why it's not a question of debates. I think we need to strengthen us urgently. To my mind, that is very important now. And debates about invitation and long-distance weapons, of course they are important. Some people raise the questions about the volume and the level of risks associated with it. But I remember our first steps with [inaudible], then with F 16, before it MLRS, HIMARS. There are always debates.

NATO SecGen: Rutte: But Ukraine is a democracy. The 32 Allies are democracies. Yeah. So, you all have debates, but there's absolute unity, because this is about our values, about our collective security. We cannot have an emboldened Russia at the NATO borders because they would somehow have been successful in Ukraine. We cannot accept that because of our values and because of our collective security interests. And this is from Los Angeles, to Tirana, to the most eastern city on NATO territory. We are aligned on this.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: You see, we have unity. Good beginning. We need 32 more.

NATO SecGen: Rutte: And then on Sinwar, of course, he is widely recognized as the architect of the seventh of October 2023 terrorist attacks on Israel. I have condemned them. All Allies have condemned them. Every reasonable soul in the world has condemned them. So, if he has died, I personally will not miss him.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah: We'll go to DPA please at the back there.

DPA [Ansgar Haase]: Thank you very much. Ansgar Haase, the German Press Agency, DPA. Mr. President, you just made it clear at the EU Summit that the question of nuclear weapons would arise for Ukraine if it cannot become a NATO member. So, in this context, can you tell us how long it would take for Ukraine to build a nuclear bomb? And a question to the Secretary General, would you understand if Ukraine were to build a nuclear bomb, if it cannot become a NATO member? Thank you.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Sometimes we create ourselves problems. Now you began to do it. So, we never spoke about that we are preparing to create nuclear weapon or something like this. I said that when Budapest Memorandum was signed by very honorable nuclear, very powerful nuclear countries, that was written that Ukraine gives nuclear weapon, and Ukraine will have from these very respectable countries, including those time -- Russia, China, United States, including them, yes, that we will have our secured territorial integrity and sovereignty. That what I said. And I said, so it meant that we gave nuclear and these people who've been partners those time, they had to give us security guarantees. And if, after that Putin began this occupation, not once during all this years, during the revolutions, during 10 last years, two times during last 10 years, it means that it's not very good umbrella for our security. That's why I said I don't have alternative except NATO. That was my signal, but we don't do nuclear weapon. Please, don't move these messages.

NATO SecGen: Rutte: And Ukraine will be in NATO. Until that happens, we will make sure that Ukraine has everything it needs to prevail.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah: Okay, ICTV, the gentleman in the third row.

ICTV [Volodymyr Runets]: Thank you. Volodymyr Runets, ICTV. Mr. Secretary General, you mentioned that, and that has been mentioned before, that China is a decisive enabler of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. But on the other hand, everyone understands that Russia could be a deterring party to this conflict. Should NATO revise its relationship with China and probably involve India more to make Russia step back and Mr. President, if you please, I wanted to ask you, if you're happy today with what you got here in Brussels. But that question, I think, was asked already. So, I would go further and ask you, Mr. Fico, the Slovakian Prime Minister, said that Ukraine's NATO membership will come at a cost. So, what do you think he meant? Did you speak to this Slovakian delegation? What are the details? Could you elaborate? Thank you.

NATO SecGen: Rutte: Well, your first question, clearly, China is a challenge. It is not our adversary, but it is a challenge, and it is supporting Russia's war effort by sanction circumvention, by delivering dual use goods. And it will have an impact, that is having an impact on China’s standing in the world. They cannot do that without having to experience that countries will take a different look towards China. And that will be my answer to your first question. And I think for Volodymyr indeed.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: On this question?

NATO SecGen: Rutte: No, no, not this one, about Fico.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: So, about Fico. So, today we spoke with him, but I think it was between us. So, I said that… first of all, I'm happy that our… so our governments, on the level of Prime Ministers Shmyhal, have some contacts with the Prime Minister Fico. It was my first conversation with Fico, and about that, so I think we speak, it's good. And about the high price, yes, you asked about the high price. He said that [inaudible] for us high price.

I said a lot of things to Fico today. I think that we have to hold relations between our countries. I think it's more important to do it. So, his country is not in war, god bless. And I wish his people peace. Not [inaudible] what does mean, and what Putin really, what Putin's face… what Putin really can bring to your country, and that's great that he doesn't feel it. It’s good for his people, but he has to support us. Otherwise, he will understand it very well from him, because Putin will never stop. Just if we will not stop him, he will never stop. It's he likes the process. He's fan of the war. I gave today the example, very interesting example. When we tried to save our north part and went through their border on Kursk Region. You know what the people said to our soldiers? You are NATO. You are Americans. Russian people said to our soldiers.

Our soldiers Ukrainian speaking guys. But of course, they know Russian language, 100%. They began to answer in Russian language, no, they said in Russian, no, no, no, we are Ukrainians, they said that. And Russians, these old people, they said, no, no, you are NATO. We know you are NATO. They've been very surprised that we're Ukrainians. So, you understand, in what disinformation they live. So, Putin built such government. He took the rights of his people, and now he's moving to the [inaudible] young people. That mean that he will never stop. He likes this world, and he will protect his world. That's why we have to finish. Not finish, yes, yes, better to finish with him… yes, it's really, but to stop him, I mean, to stop him, understand.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah: Okay, we'll go to NHK, please.

NHK.

Question: Thank you, Secretary General. I would like to ask about the IP4 discussions you had. What would be the takeaways you could share with us concerning China, with the discussions you had today? And Mr. President, I would like to ask with China supporting Russia and now North Korea trying to send personnel to fight your people. Is the cooperation with the IP4 countries becoming more important?

NATO SecGen: Rutte: We had a very good meeting with the four countries, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and indeed, Japan very much being at the table. It is a strong partner with NATO and the IP4 is a strong partner for NATO. We discussed, of course, Ukraine. We discussed how what is happening in Europe is impacting on Indo Pacific and the security situation in the Indo Pacific impacting, of course, on the Euro Atlantic, so also on NATO. And that we need to really build that relationship. And this is not only about China. This is, of course, a broader debate and a broader discussion. And what we read is that we particularly want to deepen that relationship in the areas of industrial production. Because this is an issue for every one of us, to ramp up industry production, I mean defense industry production, innovation, but also, how do we deal with hybrid threats, cyber threats and on all these issues, we will strengthen the cooperation between the four and NATO Allies.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah: Okay. And a final question to the Sydney Morning Herald, third row.

Australian Financial Review [Hans van Lewen]: It's actually the other Australian journalist, Hans van Lewen from the Australian Financial Review. For the Secretary General - was there any specific discussion at the IP4 about the North Korean question, given the urgency that has come about, given the reports from Ukraine. And for President Zelenskyy - Australia has just given you 49 tanks. But is it frustrating to you that you get these things on an ad hoc basis, and that you have to ask and ask and ask your partners for things, rather than you get a sort of structured program that you can plan around for gifts of this kind?

NATO SecGen: Rutte: Well, on the first question, we discussed all the security implications, what's happening in the Pacific and in the Euro Atlantic area, and what that means for our corporation, but also for the two areas separate, but also, again, so much being interconnected, what it means for us collectively.

Of course, North Korea also was discussed, and we are very worried about the situation. North Korea is posturing towards the Republic of Korea. So, as we say, South Korea, but also the role North Korea is playing in that access together with China, Iran and Russia, supporting Russia's war effort against Ukraine.

We have no evidence that North Korean soldiers are involved in the fight, but we do know that North Korea is supporting Russia in many ways. By weapons supplies, technological supplies, innovation to support them in the war effort, and that is highly worrying. And Russia is paying a price for this, because they are not getting this for free from Iran, China and North Korea. In return, it means that they have to deliver innovation, other capacities and capabilities. And therefore, it is a problem for Ukraine. Therefore, it's a problem for all of us, but in the end, it is also a problem for Russia itself.

So, North Korea was discussed along these lines.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Thank you so much for your question. From our intelligence, we've got information that North Korea sent tactical personnel and officers to Ukraine on temporary occupied territories, and they are preparing on their land, 10,000 soldiers, but they didn't move them already to Ukraine or to Russia. So when we will have this information, of course, we will raise up this question. But because this will be the second - I think it's already the second country which involved to this war against us.

So about the tanks. Thank you so much Australia for these tanks. Yes, it's difficult to live without plan. That's why Ramstein really helps. Because ministers of defense, the level of the ministers and they really bring the plan of interior production of Ukraine, sometimes it's about money and make money to put money to our private sector to increase the production of long-distance weapon, which is now very important before winter systems of electronic warfare, also urgent things.

And also, the plan how to equip brigades. This is the best plan what we can have really, so our messages to all the countries, just equip brigades. They can be resourced, and they can change our guys who are tired. Some of them are tired. We need to change them on the battlefield. That's why we need this resource well equipped. And this is the signal how to have real plan.

Then about Japan, just to finish, because you asked me, I'm very, I'm very thankful to your country. And really, we found during this war, very strong partner from all our people. Place big thanks to your society. Go through the winter in Ukraine, it will be the third one. But we had experience of two, with blackouts, with all these challenges. And without the help of partners, where Japan supporting us with energy during such cold and dark winter, so without such partners, we couldn't survive. So, we are very thankful to you for all support that Japan provided for us.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah: Thank you very much. That's all we have time for.

Thank you.

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