The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is and will always be a strong alliance and we need a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO, the Alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday during a joint press conference with Romanian President Nicusor Dan and Polish President Karol Nawrocki at the end of the B9 Summit.
The head of the Alliance pointed out that the meeting that took place at the Cotroceni Palace is "firmly anchored in NATO and in the transatlantic relationship".
Regarding the Joint Statement signed by the participants in the B9 Summit, Rutte reiterated what was set out in the document, namely that "Russia the most significant, long-term and direct threat to Allies' security".
The NATO Secretary General said that in the discussion with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, the leaders present at the Summit debated what more can be done to support the country at war.
"A strong Ukraine today and a strong Ukraine for the future is how Russian aggression can be stopped. (...) Ukraine's security is also our security," Mark Rutte said.
At the same time, he nuanced his message, stating that "a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO means standing with the U.S."
