NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop publicly criticizing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Zelenskyy’s frustrations stem from Germany’s refusal to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. Despite this, Germany remains a key ally of Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
“I have often told Zelenskyy that he should stop criticizing Olaf Scholz because I think it is unfair,” Rutte remarked in an interview with the German Press Agency (dpa). Scholz justified his stance by warning of a “high risk of escalation” with Russia.
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Rutte stated he would support providing cruise missiles to Ukraine without restrictions, contrasting Scholz’s approach. “These capabilities are extremely important for Ukraine,” Rutte said, while stressing that each NATO member independently decides what aid to offer.
Zelenskyy recently criticized Scholz for engaging in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He argued that the conversation “opened a Pandora’s box” and weakened global efforts to isolate Russia and secure a fair peace. Rutte’s comments may offer Scholz some relief, as the German chancellor faces growing domestic challenges. Scholz’s governing coalition fell apart recently, and he lost a parliamentary vote of confidence.
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Scholz’s difficulties mirror his record-low approval ratings, with the SPD trailing the CDU in national polls. Friedrich Merz, CDU leader and leading candidate for the February 23 elections, has promised to deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine if he becomes chancellor.
Rutte also addressed anticipated demands from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for higher European NATO defense spending. “He will demand that we do more,” Rutte predicted, referencing Trump’s goal to raise NATO’s defense spending benchmark from 2% of GDP to 5%.
For the first time, European NATO members collectively plan to meet the 2% GDP defense spending goal this year. However, not all countries have reached this target, and Trump’s proposed changes could intensify tensions within the alliance.
