NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has renewed his call for member states to accelerate military assistance to Ukraine, with a particular focus on air defence systems. Speaking alongside Estonian Prime Minister Kristan Michal in Tallinn, Rutte warned that Russia's relentless bombardment of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure demands a stronger response from the alliance.
“With winter coming, and with Russia’s aggression unrelenting, Allies need to do more, especially in support of air defence,” Rutte told journalists. His remarks come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over 600,000 people across the country were left without electricity following a wave of deadly Russian strikes on Wednesday.
The NATO chief is scheduled to meet Zelenskyy in Brussels on Thursday, on the sidelines of an EU summit of European leaders. The talks are expected to focus on the urgent need for additional Patriot systems and other interceptors, as well as the broader strategic picture ahead of the winter months.
US intelligence dispute adds friction
The meeting takes place against a backdrop of heightened tension between Washington and Kyiv over Ukraine's targeting of Russian diesel infrastructure. US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off intelligence sharing on ballistic missile attacks unless Ukraine halts strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities, which are crucial to Moscow's war financing.
Zelenskyy has voiced frustration over the lack of early warnings, saying that on Tuesday a Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv was detected only when the missiles were already approaching the capital. “Intelligence on Russian ballistic missile launches helps save lives, and this is one of the most critical issues,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Rutte, however, downplayed the dispute, pointing to Trump's recent denial that intelligence sharing had been suspended. “I think the President was very clear yesterday when he had a short moment with the media leaving the White House for a campaign event, when he said intelligence sharing has not stopped,” Rutte said.
The US has also rolled back sanctions on Russian diesel and signalled willingness to purchase the fuel to ease domestic prices, a move that has raised eyebrows in European capitals. Trump has insisted that Ukraine's attacks on refineries—not the US-Israel conflict in Iran—are the primary driver of soaring energy costs.
European allies urged to stay the course
Both Rutte and Michal stressed that the Kremlin's strategy is to wear down European resolve. “Russia wants us to focus on our own problems and grow weary of supporting Ukraine. We must not let that happen. Estonia will continue to provide military support to Ukraine,” said Michal.
The appeal comes as Poland urges the EU to shift its defence industry into wartime production, reflecting growing concern that European stockpiles are insufficient to sustain Ukraine's defence over the long term. Meanwhile, Russia continues to strike Ukraine's energy grid, undermining any notion of a truce.
Rutte's visit to Tallinn also underscored the Baltic states' frontline role in supporting Kyiv. Estonia, along with other NATO members, has consistently pushed for more decisive action, including the provision of long-range weapons and advanced air defence systems.
As winter approaches, the humanitarian and strategic stakes are rising. Ukrainian officials warn that without additional air defence, the country's energy infrastructure will remain vulnerable to Russian attacks, leaving millions without heat and electricity in freezing temperatures.
The Brussels meeting between Rutte and Zelenskyy is expected to produce concrete pledges from European allies, though questions remain about the pace and scale of deliveries. Zelenskyy is seeking European backing as US support wavers, and the outcome of Thursday's talks will be closely watched in both Kyiv and Moscow.
