NATO secretary general to visit Trump to discuss Ukraine support and peace efforts

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to visit the United States on 21-22 October to meet US President Donald Trump to discuss the Alliance's backing for Ukraine and Trump's peace efforts .

Rutte is travelling to meet Trump on 22 October to discuss issues related to Ukraine.

"The Secretary General will be in the United States to discuss various aspects related to NATO's support for Ukraine," a NATO official familiar with the visit told European Pravda anonymously.

The official added that their discussions will also cover "US efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace".

European Pravda reported that on 21 October, it emerged that Rutte would visit Washington on 21-22 October.

The visit comes amid delays in preparations for the planned meeting between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest.

Earlier reports indicated that Russia has publicly rejected a proposal endorsed by the US President to halt hostilities and begin peace talks.

Unofficially, Moscow is said to have reiterated its maximalist demands following a Putin-Trump call on Thursday 17 October, particularly regarding full control over the entire Donbas region and a ban on NATO troop deployments in Ukraine as part of a post-war settlement.