WIESBADEN, Germany, Oct 14 - NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte affirmed the alliance's unwavering support for Ukraine during his inaugural visit to the NATO mission in Wiesbaden, which is set to manage military aid coordination from the United States.
Rutte emphasized that NATO will not be intimidated by Russian threats, stating that the alliance is committed to ensuring Ukraine's success against Russian aggression. He made these remarks in a joint interview with German public radio, highlighting the importance of the newly established NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) mission.
The NSATU, based at Clay Barracks, will gradually take over the coordination of military aid to Kyiv and is expected to comprise around 700 personnel, including troops from NATO's military headquarters in Belgium and logistics hubs in Poland and Romania.
Rutte's visit comes amid concerns regarding the potential return of NATO critic Donald Trump to the White House, as he campaigns against Democrat Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. elections. Diplomats believe that while the transfer of aid coordination to NATO is significant, the U.S. remains the dominant force in providing military support to Ukraine.
During his address to allied troops from over a dozen nations involved in the mission, Rutte underscored NATO's defensive posture, asserting that the alliance does not aim to capture territory outside its member states. He reiterated NATO's readiness to confront any threats, dismissing intimidation from adversaries.
The Wiesbaden base also hosts a U.S. unit responsible for long-range missile deployments to Germany, a move announced by U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the NATO summit in July, aimed at countering Russian missile threats.