Peace requires real action, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Sunday, as he previewed the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, will reportedly focus on whether Putin is genuinely interested in ending the war in Ukraine. Rutte said “This Week,” where he emphasized that Trump’s continued pressure on Putin—through sanctions and arms support for Ukraine—has raised the stakes.
Rutte described the summit as a chance to “test Putin.” He made it clear that this moment could define whether the Russian leader is serious about peace. Trump recently escalated pressure on Moscow, including new secondary sanctions targeting countries like India that import Russian oil. During a Cabinet meeting on July 8, Trump criticized Putin directly and suggested more sanctions could follow.
Trump revealed the summit in a Truth Social post on Saturday. He plans to meet Putin in person for the first time since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many leaders view the meeting as a potential diplomatic breakthrough. However, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not plan to attend. Despite that, Rutte emphasized Ukraine’s necessary involvement. He confirmed the talks will focus on territory, security guarantees, and Ukraine’s future as a sovereign nation.
Rutte added that Ukraine must remain in control of its military and territorial decisions. He also insisted that NATO should maintain its presence along its eastern flank. He specifically mentioned countries like the Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, which border Russia and play a critical role in regional stability.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker also weighed in. He confirmed that no decision has been made about Zelenskyy’s participation. However, he noted that Trump still has time to make that choice. Whitaker echoed Rutte’s caution, saying that any real peace would depend not on promises, but on actions.
“Peace requires real action,” Whitaker said. “Both sides must follow through, not just talk.” He warned that the future of Ukraine—and regional stability—will depend on what happens after the summit. As tensions rise and decisions loom, one fact remains: peace requires real action.
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