During a joint press conference in Kyiv, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made a sensational statement regarding the current military situation and recent events in Russia. According to the head of the Alliance, the successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have changed the balance of power so significantly that even the holding of large-scale events in Russia, such as a military parade, now depends on the will of the Ukrainian authorities.
Parade on Red Square: 'Permission' from Kyiv
Rutte ironically commented on the situation surrounding the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. The NATO Secretary General stated that the Russian leader can organize a solemn procession only based on an official decree from President Volodymyr Zelensky. Answering questions from journalists, Mark Rutte cited specific figures regarding the event's duration:
"You allowed him to hold the parade for two hours, but he finished it in 1 hour and 55 minutes," emphasized the Secretary General, referring to Zelensky's decision to exclude Red Square from the list of potential targets on May 9.
Recall that the previous evening, on May 8, US President Donald Trump announced that the parties had agreed to a ceasefire from May 9 to 11. In response, Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Kyiv's readiness to support a pause in hostilities and signed the corresponding decree, effectively ensuring the safety of the parade in the Russian capital.
Enemy losses and innovations on the front
Aside from comments on the parade situation, Mark Rutte focused on the overall assessment of the effectiveness of Ukrainian military actions. He noted that the Ukrainian army is becoming increasingly successful both at the front line and in tasks aimed at destroying Russia's logistical and military capabilities.
The NATO Secretary General cited alarming statistics on Russian army losses, stating that they exceed 30,000 people per month. In his opinion, it is precisely Ukraine's resilience and the introduction of new technologies on the battlefield that are causing growing despair among the enemy.
New format of cooperation and Alliance support
An important event of the day was the first meeting in the format of the "Ukraine-NATO Council." Rutte assessed its holding as a significant signal of strong bilateral relations and confirmed that the Alliance's determination to support Kyiv remains unwavering.
The Secretary General emphasized that Russia's reckless actions are nothing new, but under conditions where Ukraine continues to achieve victories, Moscow's strategic options are narrowing.