23.01.2025, Davos.
Ukraine’s defeat in the conflict with Russia will cost the West trillions, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 23 January.
Rutte said that if Ukraine is defeated, NATO countries would need to significantly increase defense spending.
“If Ukraine loses, we will no longer be talking about three percent of GDP instead of the current two percent that NATO has already committed to spend, we will need additional trillions, not billions,” Rutte said.
According to him, if the situation develops this way, it will cost much more to contain Russia than it is required today.
Rutte called the conflict in Ukraine not only a European but also a geopolitical issue. He appealed to ensure Kiev a favorable position to participate in peace talks.
US President Donald Trump, while still a candidate and running for president, said that after taking office, he would very quickly ensure peace in Ukraine. After the inauguration, which took place on January 20, Trump called on Russia to stop hostilities, and to NATO appealed to spend more on the Ukrainian conflict.
Meanwhile, back in June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called Russian conditions for an immediate ceasefire and a transition to negotiations. They included Kiev’s official refusal to join NATO, the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the new Russian regions, the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, and Ukraine’s adoption of a neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-free status.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
