Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte gave a blunt response to suggestions that Moscow could veto Ukraine’s NATO membership, saying, “Russia has neither a vote nor a veto over who can become a member of NATO.” He made the remarks in interviews with El País and the German network RND. (El País / RND)
Rutte also stressed that NATO’s founding treaty allows “any country in the Euro‑Atlantic area” to join the Alliance.
His comments came after a leaked 28‑point plan attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump — circulated last week — which included a commitment that “NATO would never accept Ukraine as a member in the future.” That original 28‑point draft has since been reduced to a 19‑point version that is reportedly less pro‑Russian and does not entirely rule out the possibility of excluding Ukraine from NATO.
Seeking not to break with President Trump, Rutte added a personal note that he has positive feelings toward the American president, saying “I like the guy.”
NATO members have so far refused to issue an immediate invitation for Ukraine to join. However, last year they agreed on a declaration saying Kyiv’s path to the Alliance is “irreversible.” Rutte and many officials have repeatedly reaffirmed that stance despite opposition from Trump and from some other NATO member states. He acknowledged that several allies “currently oppose Ukraine’s accession.”
Regarding the current peace proposal for Ukraine, Rutte called it “a good basis for further discussions,” but warned that any plan would require a separate, parallel discussion with NATO “on certain issues.”
