New NATO Secretary General arrives in Kiev just 2 days after taking office, Ukraine has the opportunity to 'express its feelings', compares Israel, US 'pokes cold water'

On October 3, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, two days after he took over leadership of the military alliance from his predecessor Jens Stoltenberg.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in Kiev on October 3. (Source: Telegram)

The Kyiv Independent online newspaper reported that speaking at a joint press conference after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev, Mr. Mark Rutte reaffirmed that the Eastern European country's path towards NATO is "irreversible".

"We are focused on inviting Ukraine to join the alliance. This is a very important and difficult step. We will do everything to achieve it," said the new NATO Secretary General.

According to the Ukrainian leader, at the meeting with Mr. Rutte, the two sides discussed the implementation of the results achieved at the NATO Summit in Washington in July, and the possibility of jointly intercepting Russian drones and missiles.

President Zelensky said: "Joining hands to intercept Iranian missiles (the US and France supported Israel in intercepting missiles in Tehran's major airstrike on Israel on the evening of October 1 - Editor's note) is no different from joining hands to intercept Russian missiles, especially 'Shaheds' (Iranian-made missiles that Russia is using - Editor's note)".

Western partners have so far refused to help Ukraine shoot down drones and missiles over its territory for fear that such action could be seen as direct involvement in the conflict with Russia, now in its third year.

New Secretary General Mark Rutte has been one of Kiev’s staunchest allies, leading initiatives such as the delivery of F-16 jets to Ukraine. In his speech after taking office on October 1, he said Ukraine would remain one of his top priorities.

In addition, Mr. Zelensky said: "Ukraine needs to strengthen its position at the front line to be able to increase pressure on Russia for diplomatic purposes. This is why the country needs a large enough quantity and quality of weapons, including long-range weapons, the supply of which, in my opinion, is being delayed by our partners."

The leader stressed that Ukraine's main goal is to become the 33rd full member of NATO.

However, the US Department of Defense on the same day "poured cold water" on the desire for the West to help shoot down Russian missiles in the sky of Ukraine. Answering a question about this possibility, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated that if Western allies did so, it would draw the US into the conflict.

Currently, the US believes that Ukraine is "capable of defending itself" and Washington will continue to provide Ukraine with necessary support.

According to Ms. Singh, the US and other countries have limited reserves of long-range missiles and it is important to assess Ukraine's combat readiness when deciding to use this type of weapon.

US intelligence has warned Washington and its allies of the potentially dangerous consequences of allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with long-range Western missiles.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tan-tong-thu-ky-nato-den-kiev-chi-2-ngay-sau-nham-chuc-ukraine-duoc-dip-to-noi-long-dem-israel-ra-so-ke-my-doi-gao-nuoc-lanh-288700.html