NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated live on the Dutch talk show "Paauw en De Wit" that there will be no winners in the Russian-Ukrainian war, which Russia launched in February 2022. Speaking on Thursday, November 5, the head of the alliance answered a question about whether anyone will win this conflict and expressed doubt that either side will achieve total victory. According to him, such wars historically end with a peace agreement that "is often a kind of compromise."
«Such Wars End with a Peace Agreement»
Rutte did not forecast the conditions of a future settlement, but emphasized that its outcome will inevitably be built on mutual concessions. "I don't think it's very likely [that there will be a winner]. Such wars always end with a peace agreement, which is often a kind of compromise," the NATO Secretary General said. He added that the alliance "dreams of the time when all this will end," without naming specific deadlines for the end of hostilities.
Call for Vigilance After the War Ends
Rutte placed special emphasis on the need for Europe to maintain readiness for potential Russian aggression even after the end of the war in Ukraine. According to him, the Russian threat is currently not manifesting directly at the alliance's borders, as a significant portion of Russian military personnel is engaged on the territory of Ukraine. "But if it all ends there, then this huge army will not exist just for nothing," the Secretary General explained, pointing out that after the conflict ends, Russia's military potential could once again be directed toward European borders.
Relations with Zelenskyy and Focus on Washington-Moscow Dialogue
Commenting on interaction with Kyiv, Rutte expressed "huge admiration" for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reported that they consult weekly. Separately, the NATO Secretary General noted that it is important for US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to maintain "good relations," which essentially describes the bilateral dialogue channel around which, as his words imply, the negotiation process is being built.
Abu Dhabi Negotiations and a «Large-Scale Deal» for Europe
Rutte's statements came against the backdrop of preparations for new rounds of peace talks. As reported by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, trilateral consultations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia are scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi to discuss post-war security measures, de-escalation, and further steps toward peace. Another special envoy, Jared Kushner, specified that Washington intends not only to end the war, but also to build a broader security architecture designed to prevent the resumption of hostilities. In turn, US President Donald Trump stated that a large-scale deal affecting all of Europe could be reached as part of ending the conflict.
