Reuters. NATO Chief Mark Rutte repeated on Tuesday (December 2) that the consensus needed for Ukraine to join the alliance is not there at the moment.
"There is no unanimity within the alliance about Ukraine coming into the alliance. So, we are discussing how, if not NATO membership, we can make sure Ukraine is protected," Rutte told reporters ahead of the NATO foreign ministers meeting.
Rutte also addressed the absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, noting Rubio's deep involvement in peace efforts. "He's working extremely hard… I totally accept him not being able to be here tomorrow, and I would not read anything in it," Rutte said, adding that Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau would attend in Rubio's place.
The press conference comes as U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner are set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ways to end the conflict. Recent leaks of U.S. draft peace proposals have sparked concern among Ukrainian and European officials, who fear the plans may favor Moscow's demands.
Meanwhile, tensions have risen after Russia condemned remarks by NATO's top military officer about the possibility of a "pre-emptive strike," calling them irresponsible and escalatory. Rutte reiterated NATO's close coordination with the U.S. on all aspects of a potential future peace deal.
