Russia’s massive overnight strikes on Ukraine show that the Kremlin is not genuinely ready for peace. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said this on February 3, 2026, during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, according to Ukrinform.
Rutte said the latest attack was one of the most powerful since the full-scale war began. In terms of ballistic missiles, it could even be a “record”. He stressed that the strikes happened during severe cold and targeted civilian and critical infrastructure. The attacks did not target military sites and only made life harder for civilians. Rutte also noted that Ukraine is ready to act within diplomatic agreements, but Russia’s actions raise serious doubts about its intentions. During the press briefing, President Zelenskyy also said that while he and Rutte were honoring fallen Ukrainian soldiers at Independence Square, a Russian aircraft reached a launch position. He said this clearly showed Russia’s real attitude toward de-escalation talks.
Parliament Speech and Ongoing Support for Ukraine
Earlier that day, Rutte addressed Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada. According to Ukrinform, he said that despite diplomatic efforts by the United States and Ukraine, Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities. This shows that its peace claims are not serious. He also reassured that NATO’s support for Ukraine remains strong and a top priority.
At the Kyiv press conference, Rutte expressed confidence that allies will provide $15 billion for the PURL program in 2026. So far, Ukraine has received 75% of frontline missiles and 90% of air defense missiles through this program. He added that NATO continues to work with member states to find additional missiles for Patriot systems and other air defense equipment.
Rutte last visited Ukraine on August 22, 2025. At that time, he met with President Zelenskyy to discuss security guarantees and weapons for the Ukrainian armed forces.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that the day before Rutte’s visit, Russia carried out another massive strike on Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure.
