Ukraine, NATO discuss robust security pact to deter Russian aggression

On August 22, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived unexpectedly in Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Today, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is in Ukraine. During our meeting, we discussed, first and foremost, what next joint steps of ours can provide Ukraine and all of Europe with greater security and bring the real end of the war closer," Zelenskyy wrote on his X account, Caliber.Az reports.

"Most importantly, this includes our diplomacy, security guarantees, and weapons for our warriors. In particular, the PURL program is already operating, enabling the purchase of American weapons with partner funding. We already have $1.5 billion from European countries. This is significant. I am grateful to every partner. We are working to raise more.

We greatly appreciate the support of Secretary General NATO. Thank you for your readiness to help," Zelenskyy posted.

Today, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is in Ukraine. During our meeting, we discussed, first and foremost, what next joint steps of ours can provide Ukraine and all of Europe with greater security and bring the real end of the war closer.

Most importantly, this includes our… pic.twitter.com/Ve5NrdyQqB

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 22, 2025

The visit follows a recent high-level meeting in Washington involving Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump, and European partners, focused on securing robust security guarantees for Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

“We are now working together — Ukraine, the Europeans, the United States — to make sure that these security guarantees are of such a level that Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin sitting in Moscow will never try to attack Ukraine again,” Rutte stated during a joint press conference.

Rutte elaborated that the forthcoming security guarantees package will be structured around two key pillars: the strengthening of Ukraine’s military capabilities and binding commitments from the United States and European allies to deter any future Russian aggression.

The security guarantees package could be finalized this week, with European officials reportedly discussing the deployment of British and French troops to Ukraine, alongside contingents from approximately ten other nations. However, Rutte cautioned that “it is too early to say what will be the outcome” of these ongoing negotiations regarding foreign troop deployments.

President Zelenskyy echoed this sentiment, adding, “It’s still too early to say who might provide troops, who will contribute intelligence, who will be present at sea, and who — in the air.”

French President Emmanuel Macron clarified on August 18 that the security guarantees would not include NATO membership for Ukraine but would instead rely on a strong Ukrainian army supported by commitments from the Coalition of the Willing—a group comprising over 30 countries. European officials have indicated that a series of meetings among Coalition members could occur in the coming days to finalize the details.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on August 19 that Washington might offer air support as part of the guarantees but ruled out the deployment of US ground forces.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, however, insisted earlier this week that any discussions regarding Ukraine’s security guarantees must include Russia’s participation.

Responding to Lavrov’s remarks, Zelenskyy firmly stated, “Ukraine needs security guarantees so that we, our children, and grandchildren can be certain that Russia will not attack us. These are guarantees of security against an aggressor.”

He added pointedly, “When Russia raises the issue of security guarantees, to be honest, I don’t know who exactly is threatening them. They’re the ones who attacked us.”

By Vafa Guliyeva