Video: NATO vows European troops, warships for Ukraine after peace deal
Abdullateef Fowewe
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has announced that several European allies are prepared to deploy ground troops, fighter jets, and naval ships to Ukraine—but only once a peace agreement is secured with Russia.
The bold pledge, delivered amid the biting cold of a Ukrainian winter, positioned the United States as the ultimate security “backstop” while rallying lawmakers with a message of resilience, “I know that winter has come, but spring will come. Stay strong! I know you will. Slava Ukraini!”
Rutte’s speech, his first major address to the Ukrainian parliament since taking the helm of the alliance last year, came as the war with Russia grinds into its fourth year.
Speaking to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and assembled lawmakers in Kyiv, the Dutch politician outlined a multi-domain NATO commitment that could reshape Europe’s post-conflict security landscape.
“Some European allies have announced that they will deploy troops to Ukraine after a deal is reached,” Rutte noted.
“Troops on the ground, jets in the air, ships on the Black Sea. The United States will be the backstop. Others have vowed to support in other ways.”
The announcement builds on recent diplomatic momentum, including stalled ceasefire talks in Geneva and Istanbul.
