In a recent interview with Face the Nation, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that the responsibility to end the war in Ukraine now lies with Russia. He stated that his discussions with U.S. officials confirm the shared impression that “Russia is not moving fast enough” toward a peaceful resolution.
“The ball clearly is in the court of the Russians,” Rutte said, highlighting that the U.S. and NATO allies are united in pushing for peace.
U.S. Leading Peace Efforts
Rutte praised the United States’ active role in trying to resolve the ongoing war, which began in 2022 and has since caused widespread destruction and hundreds of thousands of casualties in Ukraine.
“You guys are really trying, step-by-step, to get to a situation where this war can end,” said Rutte.
Despite Western efforts, Russia has yet to fully commit to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, citing unresolved issues. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio commented from a NATO conference in Brussels that time is running out to determine whether Russia is sincere or stalling.
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“It Takes Two to Tango,” Rutte Says
While acknowledging Ukraine’s alignment with the U.S. on peace terms, Rutte questioned Russia’s willingness to engage constructively.
“The Russians also have to dance the tango — and right now, they don’t seem to want to.”
NATO Alliance Remains Strong Despite Trade Tensions
Despite global tariff tensions under President Trump’s administration, Rutte expressed confidence that NATO’s military unity remains unaffected.
“It doesn’t have an impact on the alliance,” Rutte affirmed, adding that European defense budgets have surged to Cold War levels.
President Trump has often criticized NATO allies for low defense spending, urging them to increase their contributions to 5% of GDP. Rutte responded that European countries are already making significant investments in defense.
U.S. Nuclear Commitment Remains Unshaken
When asked about Europe potentially expanding its own nuclear umbrella, Rutte stood by the U.S.’s role as the nuclear security guarantor for NATO.
“The U.S. is completely committed to NATO and Article 5,” Rutte assured, referencing America’s nuclear deterrence backing Europe’s security.
He encouraged Europeans to pay attention to American leaders’ reassurances, instead of worrying about U.S. commitment to NATO.
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Final Thought
NATO’s message is clear: The path to peace lies with Russia. While Western allies are aligned and pressing forward, the world watches to see whether Moscow will respond with genuine steps—or delay further.
