Rutte calls assistance to Ukraine one of the components of NATO’s security; Scholz once again emphasizes the immutability of his decision.

Strengthening the national defense of allied countries and further increasing military aid to Ukraine are two areas that are crucial for NATO’s security, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Berlin during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

He noted that Germany has made a decisive contribution to common security, allocating 2% of its GDP to defense for the first time in 30 years. It is also the largest European provider of military aid to Ukraine and is hosting the new NATO Security Assistance and Training Command for Ukraine in Wiesbaden.

In turn, Scholz said he does not see the need to make “new decisions” regarding Ukraine’s membership in NATO, particularly regarding an invitation. Currently, according to him, it is more important in practice to provide sufficient military aid against the background of participation by North Korean soldiers in the war.

However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, said in Kyiv that Germany supports Ukraine’s accession to NATO.