Joint press conference

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It was important for me to join this UDCG here with the co-chairs and with Mykhailo Fedorov here in Berlin.

Because we cannot lose focus on Ukraine, even with the many pressing security challenges we face.

There is no respite in Russia’s war of aggression.

Russia continues its brutal attacks, day and night.

Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to hold back the Russians. And the Ukrainian people continue to resist.

Today, and I think that was very important, we all reaffirmed our commitment to Ukraine.

Vital military equipment from NATO Allies continues to flow into Ukraine.

This includes through NATO’s PURL initiative, which is getting key American firepower into the country, paid for by Allies and partners. PURL keeps flowing.

I welcome the further support announced during the meeting.

For example, we have heard new missiles from Germany, for Patriots, 120,000 drones from the United Kingdom, more drones from the Netherlands and more funds for PURL and the Czech ammunition initiative.

Mykhailo Fedorov, your efforts are making Ukraine’s military even stronger. I really welcome them. You are doing a fantastic job.

Russia is struggling on the battlefield.

Winning is now a distant dream for Putin, and we even saw some media reports that he is understanding that his economy is in a bad shape. And we already knew that.

As Ukraine’s armed forces inflict massive losses on his war machine, happening every day, and the numbers indeed are staggering. We heard some of that today.

A strong Ukraine today, and a strong Ukraine for the future is how Russian aggression can be stopped.

So, we need to dig deep, and continue to provide the crucial support that Ukraine needs.

Because Ukraine’s security, is our security.

Ukraine’s expertise in countering drones and missile threats is helping save lives beyond its borders.

As Boris Pistorius said, it is a two-way street. We are also now learning from you. We are learning from Ukraine.

And I welcome the agreements you have made with several Gulf states who have suffered indiscriminate attacks by Iran.

The deals on defence cooperation and production show how Ukraine is becoming an exporter of security.

Dear Boris, dear colleagues, thank you for hosting us here in Berlin.

And I look forward to continuing to work with you, and of course John, and Mykhailo to ensure that Ukraine continues to get the help it deserves.

We know that war isn’t waiting for us.

The time for action is now.

Thank you so much.

Ms. Fiebig, 1+1 TV Ukraine

Mr. Secretary General, my question is back to PURL, how optimistic are you actually of raising up to $15 billion up to the end of the year? Talking about this balance, do you see any disbalance, also between the countries there.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

On your first question, yes, I'm optimistic that we will be able to fund the flow coming out of the US: crucial military support for Ukraine, including air defence. Yes, I'm optimistic. I think in terms of burden sharing, we could do even better. It is a limited amount of countries doing the heavy lifting, but also there we see a change for the better. So yes, I'm optimistic.

Matthias Gebauer, Der Spiegel

Secretary General, I have one question to you. You mentioned the PURL mechanism. One thing is the funding, of course, the other side of the coin is the open question: if the US is ready and willing to deliver, for example, air defence missiles, which are also - the depots are pretty depleted after the conflict in Iran. Do you have any concrete confirmation from the US side that the US side is ready to prioritise deliveries to Ukraine in the next couple of months and not hold back certain weapon types for their own depots.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

Well, the good news is that the flow continues, and that there is a broad understanding on both sides of the ocean that we do have to do “and/and”. That is, make sure that we refill all our stockpiles, because this is not only a US problem, also a European problem. We have to ramp up the defence industrial production. But at the same time, we have to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to stay in the fight. So, there is a broad agreement on that on both sides of the of the Atlantic.