NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has sidestepped questions about Ukraine’s possible membership in the military alliance.

NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte argued that Ukraine needs to be put in a “position of strength” instead of being pushed toward peace talks, while speaking at a Tuesday conference ahead of the

NATO members will have to supply guarantees in order to have peace in Ukraine, said Lithuania foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Wednesday. "If we want to have peace in Ukraine, we will have to supply security guarantees.

NATO’s new Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the need for increased support for Ukraine and condemned Russia’s use of North Korean troops and weapons, Iranian drones, and Chinese dual-use goods on a visit to Athens.

Mark Rutte said it was up to Ukraine to decide when it was ready to begin negotiations with Russia — and that the West should help strengthen Kyiv’s position beforehand.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that NATO membership for Ukraine could be part of a potential peace deal with Russia, which could also include conceding some occupied Ukrainian territory.