NATO Secretary General says Putin has no veto over any country's accession to NATO

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, photo: Reuters

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no veto or influence over who can join NATO.

He said this during a discussion at the «Ukrainian Breakfast» in Davos.

«We must clearly understand that Vladimir Putin has no veto or say in who joins NATO in the future. Only if he wants to join NATO himself, but I don't think he wants to», Rutte said.

In addition, he stressed that Ukraine's full membership in NATO is the best way to ensure lasting peace.

«However, we must be sure that the peace we have collectively supported will be sustainable and never again be called into question,» the NATO Secretary General added.

As a reminder, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on the United States to continue to support Ukraine, and if necessary, Europe will finance the weapons provided.