(MENAFN- UkrinForm) NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has strongly condemned Russia's indiscriminate attacks against Ukraine's civilian population carried out over the past 48 hours. He also expressed support for President Trump's urgent efforts to stop the fighting and reiterated the Alliance's commitment to standing with Ukraine throughout the challenges ahead.

Rutte made these remarks today in Dayton, USA, during his speech at a session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, a Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Today, Europe is not at peace. Russia has brought war back to Europe. Its aggression against Ukraine must stop - and it must stop now. I completely condemn Russia's indiscriminate attacks against innocent civilians over the last 48 hours. We fully support President Trump's urgent efforts to stop the fighting. We need a just and lasting peace. This is a priority that we all share,” Rutte's words were met with applause from members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

The Secretary General emphasized that NATO will continue to support Ukraine. This support is not aimed at prolonging the war, but rather ensuring that Ukraine can defend itself now and prevent future aggression.

In this context, Rutte noted that NATO's command center in Wiesbaden, Germany, plays a leading role in coordinating security assistance and training for Ukraine, in daily deliveries of military aid, and in helping to build the future of Ukraine's defense forces. The Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Center (JATEC) in Bydgoszcz, Poland, is helping all NATO Allies learn the lessons of this war.

Rutte reminded the audience that this year, the Allies committed to providing Ukraine with €20 billion in additional security assistance. Within the Coalition of the Willing, led by the UK and France, NATO Allies have shown that they are ready, willing, and able to take greater responsibility for maintaining peace when the time comes.

“NATO has stood with Ukraine from the beginning. We stand with Ukraine today. And we will stand with Ukraine throughout the challenges ahead,” Rutte added.

He also noted that even when Russia's war against Ukraine ends, the threats facing NATO Allies will persist.

“Our adversaries will still try to dominate and divide us. But they will fail because of the unbreakable Transatlantic bond. North America and Europe stand together to secure peace through strength,” emphasized the NATO Secretary General.

Read also: Ukraine's presence at NATO Summit in The Hague crucial – FM Sybiha

As previously reported, the next NATO Summit, which will determine the Alliance's strategic direction for the coming years, will take place in The Hague on June 24–25. It is expected that Allied leaders will focus on three main issues: increasing defense budgets, boosting defense industry production, and continuing support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

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