Accompanied By Zelenskyy, NATO Secretary General Visits Ukrainian Odesa After The Russian Attack
JAKARTA - NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte visited the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday. Rutte said NATO's support for Ukraine was immovable.
Rutte's visit was a form of solidarity with Kyiv after a Russian missile attack in the northern city of Sumy on Sunday that killed 35 people and injured more than 100 people.
"The Ukrainian people have faced so many things - including the Russian Palem Sunday attack in Sumy. NATO support is immovable," Rutte said in a post on X.
"We will continue to help Ukraine to defend itself today and prevent aggression in the future, as well as ensure a just and lasting peace," he added.
The visit comes as the United States - the dominant NATO force - seeks to mediate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, and the visit follows new criticism of Zelenskyy by US President Donald Trump.
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Zelenskyy said he and Rutte visited the hospital where Ukrainian soldiers were recovering from their injuries.
"We spoke with our fighters. I give the country awards to our defenders. I thank our fighters for their strength, resilience, and protection for our people," he said in X.
"I also give awards to combat medics. I thank everyone who defends, cares for, survives, and supports Ukraine. You are our strength," Zelenskyy continued.