NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that it is unlikely that Ukraine will regain control over all its territory amid the ongoing war with Russia. According to him, the conflict is more likely to end through a peace agreement that will serve as a compromise between the parties.
Predictions for the End of the War
Rutte noted that wars typically end with peace agreements that do not always satisfy both sides. He emphasized that while everyone dreams of the war ending, the realities suggest that a complete victory for either side is improbable. The NATO Secretary General also pointed out that the Russian threat is not currently direct, as a significant portion of Russian troops are engaged in Ukraine.
Military Potential of Ukraine and Russia
Rutte highlighted that Ukraine has a strong army, consisting of approximately 800,000 troops. However, he also noted that Russia is increasing its armed forces. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to send more than one million of his citizens to their deaths, indicating the seriousness of the threat posed by the Russian Federation.
Gas Purchases from Russia
Separately, Rutte commented on the situation regarding gas purchases from Russia, stating that in the first half of this year, the European Union purchased liquefied gas from Russia for 6 billion euros. He emphasized that this is significantly more than what a deal between the US and Russia regarding diesel fuel could yield. The NATO Secretary General believes that such actions raise concerns among European allies of the US, as it may strengthen Europe's dependence on Russian energy resources.