The head of Nato is calling on world leaders to “step up, not scale back” support for Ukraine, so that it can reach eventual peace talks with Russia in the best state possible.
Mark Rutte says it is important to “change the trajectory of the war”, warning that the front line is moving in the wrong direction.
Rutte says there are three important reasons to do this.Firstly, for Ukraine itself. Rutte says we cannot allow one country invades another country and try to colonize it, in the 21st century.
Secondly, because China, North Korea, Iran and Russia are working together. A ‘bad deal’, would mean the president of Russia “high-fiving” with the leaders of North Korea, Iran and China, Rutte says.
And thirdly, because if Ukraine were to lose the war, Nato members would face “trillions” of extra spending to bolster their military, a “much, much higher price” than is being contemplated today.
Rutte adds that there is a commitment that Ukraine will become a member of Nato.And if Vladimir Putin can be brought to the negotiating table, the important thing is to ensure a “sustainable peace”, Rutte says, and not repeat the peace talks of Minsk in 2014.
"For it to be sustainable, we have to make sure that Putin will never, ever, ever again try to get a square kilometre of Ukraine in the future."
Rutte is speaking at a breakfast organised by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in Davos.
Pinchuk, the Ukrainian businessman and oligarch, explains that he loves it when the US president, or other leaders, talk about putting their country first.
"If you put the interest of your country first, then it means national security is an absolute priority.But that means you must not let our crazy, terrible enemy win in Ukraine."
Pinchuk adds that if that happens (and he believes it "definitely" won’t), it would severely damage the national interest of other countries.
There is a populist feel to Davos today. Even though he’s not attending this year, Donald Trump has loomed over Davos. And at 5pm local time the new president will deliver remarks to delegates via a live video link.
Before that we’ll hear from Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, and also receive a message from the pope.
The agenda
• 7.30am CET / 6.30am GMT: Davos Ukrainian Breakfast
• 9.30am CET / 8.30am GMT: A special message from Pope Francis, delivered by Cardinal Turkson
• 10.15am CET / 9.15am GMT: Special address by Javier Milei, president of Argentina
• 11.30am CET / 10.30am GMT: A debate on tariffs
• 1.15pm CET / 12.15pm GMT: A session on action on Antimicrobial Resistance
• 3pm CET / 2pm GMT: A session on Global Risks 2025
• 4.15pm CET / 3.15pm GMT: A session on Can National Security Keep Up with AI?
• 5pm CET / 4pm GMT: Special address and dialogue with Donald Trump
We'll be tracking all the main events throughout the day … |
