Zelenskiy, NATO boss and European leaders discuss Ukraine security guarantees
(VOVWORLD) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other European leaders on Wednesday, aiming to get immediate help to bolster Kyiv's military efforts and discuss longer-term security guarantees.
 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy looks on as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured) at the NATO Secretary General Residence, in Brussels, Belgium, December 18, 2024. Olivier Matthys/Pool via REUTERS |
Zelenskiy told reporters that Wednesday's talks in Brussels, and a discussion with the European Union's 27 national leaders the following day, were "a very good opportunity to speak about security guarantees for Ukraine for today and for tomorrow".
While European leaders insist they are focusing on Ukraine's immediate needs, some officials have begun discussing how to assure the country's security after the conflict comes to a halt, including the possibility of deploying European troops.
Posting later on X, Zelenskiy said he and Rutte had an "important and very substantive meeting" focusing on "strengthening air defense for Ukraine and ensuring the reliability of the peace we are collectively working to achieve." NATO "will do everything to ensure that Ukraine is as strong as possible," he said.