“Russia’s recklessness is not new. However, as Ukraine continues to hold firm, innovate, and achieve successes on the battlefield, Russia is becoming increasingly desperate,” said M. Rutte at a press conference in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Read more Volodymyr Zelensky: strikes on Saint Petersburg – a justified response to Russia
M. Rutte arrived in the Ukrainian capital a few hours after Kyiv launched drone attacks on the Russian city of Saint Petersburg, where officials and visiting guests were gathering for an important Russian economic forum.
This occurred a day after 23 people were killed in mass Russian attacks across Ukraine.
The NATO Secretary General highlighted the losses Russia is suffering and the increasing economic pressure.
“Tragic, but they show no signs of stopping. The latest attacks in Kyiv and across Ukraine clearly demonstrate this,” he said.
Soon after M. Rutte’s speech, air raid sirens sounded throughout Kyiv, warning of a possible Russian attack.
The attack on Saint Petersburg was the latest in a series of long-range drone strikes by Ukraine that have shaken Russia.
M. Rutte praised these operations and Ukraine’s progress on the battlefield.
“Ukraine is operating increasingly successfully both on the front line and in ensuring that you can destroy some key Russian capabilities and the ability to continue the war,” he said.
V. Zelensky on Wednesday called his army’s nighttime strikes on Saint Petersburg a justified response to Russia’s attacks on his country.
The Ukrainian leader also threatened to further intensify Kyiv’s retaliatory strikes on Russia.
According to an analysis of data by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) conducted by the news agency AFP, in May Ukraine regained more territory than it lost for the second consecutive month, halting months of Russian advances.
V. Zelensky is urging NATO countries to increase the supply of air defense systems, especially US-made Patriot batteries and ammunition, which Kyiv says are needed to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles.
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