NATO Secretary General and Zelensky Visited Odesa: Support and Hopes for the Future The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made an important visit to the strategic seaport of Odesa, reaffirming the Alliance’s unwavering support in the fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security
This trip, detailed in Rutte’s post on the popular social network X (formerly Twitter) and shared by "European Truth" in Ukrainian, has become another symbol of close cooperation between NATO and Ukraine on the eve of active military challenges. According to Rutte, NATO remains aligned with the Ukrainian people, who are enduring numerous trials, including aggression from Russia. In his statement, he emphasized that the support is “unwavering” and that the Alliance will continue to provide systematic assistance to Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity, deter potential Russian aggression, and create conditions for a long-term, just, and strong peace. "The Ukrainian people have endured so much – not only the Russian attack on Sumy and Palm Sunday. We will continue to help Ukraine defend itself today and deter future aggression," the diplomat stated. During the visit, Zelensky shared details and his emotions on social media X: he, along with Rutte, visited a local hospital where wounded defenders of Ukraine are being treated. He also posted a video from the visit, reflecting human compassion and the desire to support those risking their lives for the country's independence. “Talked with the soldiers. Awarded defenders with state honors. Thank you to the guys for strength, resilience, and protecting our people,” Zelensky wrote in his post, expressing deep gratitude to the defenders for their courage and dedication. This visit took place in the context of recent diplomatic and military signals. On April 4, after the NATO ministerial meeting, Rutte confirmed that the Alliance’s unchanging stance on Ukraine's NATO membership remains in force. This was in response to numerous political statements accompanying the diplomatic process during this period. Meanwhile, in Washington, reports indicate that Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev stated that the Donald Trump administration is “understanding” of Vladimir Putin’s position regarding Ukraine’s possible NATO accession. This situation only underscores the complexity of diplomatic balancing and the fierce struggle for influence and security in the region. At the same time, Ukraine continues to receive crucial support from the West, demonstrating its readiness for dialogue and strengthening its defense capabilities. For more details on the developments and key NATO decisions, read our upcoming article — about the Brussels meeting where prospects and compromises concerning European and US strategic security were discussed: “With Trump at any cost? What Europe is willing to concede so that the US does not leave NATO.”