NATO secretary general outlines three layers of security guarantees for Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that the West is considering three layers of security guarantees for Ukraine.

As reported by a correspondent of European Pravda, Rutte believes the main purpose of the security guarantees, which would take effect after a ceasefire, is to increase the price Russia would have to pay for any potential renewed attack on Ukraine.

Rutte declined to comment substantively on a Financial Times publication about agreed principles for guaranteeing Ukraine's security, though he acknowledged having read the report.

However, he confirmed that the current agreements envisage "three layers" of security guarantees.

He said at a press conference in Kyiv that the first level of guarantees is a strengthened Ukrainian army, supported by partner funding. "They [the Ukrainian army – ed.] will be the first line of defence, obviously, for Ukraine, if ever the Russians or anyone would attack Ukraine. And we all feel the obligation to make sure that Ukrainian Armed Forces are in the best possible position to protect themselves," the secretary general said.

The second level, Rutte noted, is the Coalition of the Willing brought together by France and the UK. He refrained from going into detail about how it would act in the event of an attack, saying only that the coalition's aim is not just to ensure that the Ukrainian military has everything it needs, but also to guarantee the other steps.

"And then the US starting this summer said, 'We want to get involved'," Rutte concluded.

All three levels together should provide a degree of deterrence sufficient to give confidence "that Russia will never try to attack again".

"I will not comment on everything in the media, other than saying that generally, this is the intent – that the security guarantee will be so strong that for Russia to attack again will be a very bad decision," he summed up.

As reported, the Financial Times has described how Ukraine's allies would ensure a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the United States has called on its allies to reimagine NATO.

During his visit to Ukraine on Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he would find over US$15 billion to purchase weapons for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.