Secretary general hints that NATO sees no problem with strikes on St Petersburg during Putin's forum

NATO sees no problem with Ukraine striking St Petersburg on the first day of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) – a key international event for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on 3 June, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Rutte drew a parallel between the forum and the so-called Victory Day parade on 9 May, an event that was highly significant for Putin. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 – ed.]

"Ukraine is now so successful that Putin is only able to organise a 9 May parade with an official presidential decree by this president," Rutte said, pointing to Zelenskyy.

Rutte addressed Zelenskyy recalling those events: "I think for two hours you allowed him [Putin] to do it? And it ended in 1 hour and 55 minutes, so he didn't take a risk."

Zelenskyy had been asked by Ukraine's partners ahead of the 9 May parade to guarantee that Moscow would not be hit by Ukrainian strikes, so he formally gave Putin permission, by presidential decree, to hold a parade on Red Square. Many observers saw the incident as an illustration of Russia's weakness.

Rutte also emphasised that Russia is the aggressor in the war against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy added that the aim was not to target Putin, who plans to attend SPIEF in the coming days.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "To be honest, I don't keep track. I don't have a schedule of where Putin is going on which day. We respond to strikes on Ukraine. I believe we carry out fair strikes. There was a large-scale attack a day ago, and we responded accordingly. But we only respond by striking oil refineries and military targets, legitimate targets. That is what Ukraine does."

Background:

• During his visit to Ukraine, Mark Rutte has spoken about rising Russian losses in the war and made a public address to Russian youth.
• Rutte and Zelenskyy also said that neither side is dismissing the need for Ukraine to join the Alliance.

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