NATO Secretary General Rutte travels to Odessa with Zelensky

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte travelled to the port city of Odessa with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday.

"Ukraine's people have endured so much - not least Russia’s Palm Sunday attack on Sumy," Rutte wrote on the platform X.

Rutte assured Ukraine of continued support from the Western military alliance NATO.

On Sunday, at least 35 people were killed in a Russian missile attack on Sumy.

Zelensky posted a video of the joint visit to a military hospital in Odessa on his Telegram channel. The head of state awarded medals to wounded people in the presence of Rutte.

During their joint talks, the strengthening of Ukraine's air defence was discussed in particular. "Absolutely everyone sees how urgent Ukraine's need is for air-defence systems and missiles for them," wrote Zelensky. He reiterated Kiev's willingness to purchase Patriot air-defence systems.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion with Western support for more than three years.