Zelensky to meet NATO chief in Brussels to discuss air defence
NATO secretary general Mark Rutte will consult with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday in Brussels about more air defence for the country. The heads of government of Germany, France, Italy and Poland are also expected to join, as well as European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president António Costa.
The consultation is particularly urgent as Russia has intensified its air strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks, in an attempt to destroy its energy infrastructure and break the morale of Ukrainians. Rutte and the EU leaders want to prepare for a possible reduction in US aid to Kyiv once Donald Trump takes office as president in January.
Zelensky was due to travel to Brussels this week anyway, as he will address EU government leaders at their December summit on Thursday morning. The initiative for the dinner on Wednesday came from Rutte. As most EU leaders arrive in Brussels on Wednesday evening, he asked some of them to meet him. In a speech last week, Rutte sounded the alarm about Ukraine and Europe's security.
One of the topics on the agenda is more air support for Ukraine. Zelensky has long been asking Europe and the US to provide additional anti-aircraft systems to protect his country from Russian missiles and drones. EU leaders are also expected to discuss the strengthening of European defence and the increasing of arms production. This will cost many hundreds of billions of euros.
NATO secretary general Mark Rutte and Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky at NATO headquarters in Brussels , 17 October 2024 © PHOTO OLIVIER MATTHYS / POOL / AFP
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