NATO’s Rutte Credits Trump With Breaking Russia-Ukraine Deadlock

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte publicly thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for “breaking the deadlock” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the initiative had reopened a path to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking at a White House gathering of European leaders on Monday, Rutte said Trump’s decision to start direct dialogue with Putin last week had created new momentum and that, “if we play this well, we could end the war.” Rutte noted that Trump’s willingness to participate in security guarantees for Kyiv represents “a breakthrough” and “makes all the difference” to European allies seeking a durable settlement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also met Trump in Washington, signaled that Ukraine is ready for bilateral discussions built on those guarantees. The praise follows Trump’s meeting with Putin at a U.S. military base in Alaska on Aug. 15 and comes as the White House hosts leaders from the U.K., France, Germany and the European Union to explore next steps. Trump said he hopes the talks will lead to a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelensky aimed at securing an “enduring and lasting peace” in Eastern Europe.