Rutte to Russian youth: You will be left to die in Ukraine

In a joint press statement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Rutte addressed young people in Russia who are set to join the army, stating, "You are being offered a bad deal. If you are wounded, you will most likely be left to die in the mud." Zelenskyy said, "I am ready for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin instead of waiting in line until all other conflicts in the rest of the world are over and it is our turn."

Following this, meetings between NATO officials and Ukrainian authorities took place. In a joint press statement made after the talks, Rutte addressed the youth in Russia and their families. Continuing his criticisms of the Moscow administration, Rutte warned the young people who will join the army to be part of the war in Ukraine that they would lose their lives.

Rutte stated, "You are being offered a bad deal. Men who join the war like you will not receive training. The equipment you are given will be insufficient. Your chances of dying or being wounded while there are quite high."

The NATO Secretary General said, "If you are wounded, you will most likely be left to die in the mud."

Arguing that Russia is suffering "extremely heavy" losses in Ukraine, Rutte said that more than 30 thousand Russian soldiers are killed per month, stating that this figure aligns with estimates he has previously voiced. Rutte said, "This means losing more people in one month than the Soviet Union lost in 10 years in Afghanistan in the 1980s."

The NATO Secretary General stated, "This is not an abstract situation. This will most likely be you."

Zelenskyy: "I am ready for direct negotiations with Putin"

Zelenskyy stated that he is ready for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, saying, "I am ready for direct negotiations with Putin instead of waiting in line until all other conflicts in the rest of the world are over and it is our turn."

Zelenskyy touched upon Ukraine's recent attacks on Russia, stating, "I do not follow Putin's daily schedule. We are only responding to the attack on Ukraine. I think our attacks are justified. If they continue to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles against us, we will respond in the same way. However, we only respond to oil refineries or legitimate military targets."

Pointing out that they need to provide a more concrete response to Russia's use of ballistic missiles in attacks on Ukraine, Zelenskyy said, "Ballistic missiles are Russia's last argument against Ukraine in this war, and we must find an adequate answer to them. So far, our only proven tool that works is the US-made Patriot air defense systems."

News Source: İHA