Border deployment vehicle accident kills two service members, third in
critical condition
[April 16, 2025]
ODESA, Ukraine (AP) — NATO’s support for Ukraine remains “unwavering,”
the alliance’s secretary-general said Tuesday, emphasizing that more
than 20 billion euros — over $22 billion — in security assistance has
already been pledged by NATO allies in the first three months of the
year.
Mark Rutte spoke on Tuesday in Ukraine's port city of Odesa, where he
met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
His visit came days after two Russian ballistic missiles struck the city
of Sumy on Palm Sunday morning, killing at least 35 people, including
two children, and injuring 119.
The attack on the northeastern city, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from
Ukraine’s border with Russia, marked the second large-scale attack in
just over a week to result in significant civilian casualties. Earlier
this month, about 20 people were killed, including nine children, after
a Russian ballistic missile struck Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih on
April 4.
“I’m here today because I believe Ukraine’s people deserve real peace,
real safety and security in their country, in their homes,” Rutte said
during a joint news conference with Zelenskyy. The two met with wounded
Ukrainian soldiers at a hospital in Odesa.
This is Rutte’s first trip to Ukraine since U.S. President Donald Trump
assumed the lead in ceasefire negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow,
which have included several rounds of talks in Saudi Arabia.
“These discussions are not easy, not least in the wake of this horrific
violence,” Rutte said, referring to the recent strikes. “But we all
support President Trump’s push for peace.”
Ukraine has endorsed the broader U.S.-proposed cease-fire deal, though
Russia has effectively stalled the process by attaching far-reaching
conditions.
A 'coalition of the willing'
Meanwhile, Ukraine and its European partners are continuing to develop
the infrastructure for the “coalition of the willing,” which is expected
to act as a long-term security guarantee aimed at deterring future
Russian aggression after a ceasefire is in place.
Amid that uncertainty and U.S. warnings that Europe must take care of
its own security and that of Ukraine in the future, the multinational
force is seen as a first test of the continent’s willingness to defend
itself and its interests.
Zelenskyy said Turkey could play a significant role in providing future
Black Sea security guarantees for Ukraine.
“This is not about ending the war, unfortunately,” Zelenskyy said,
commenting on the security meeting being hosted by Turkey on Tuesday and
Wednesday. “It’s about what comes after — the security guarantees for
Ukraine following a ceasefire.”
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Smoke rises from an explosion following a Russian drone strike on
Sumy, Ukraine, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
He said military representatives from Ukraine, France, the United
Kingdom and Turkey are discussing the presence of a military
contingent in the Black Sea as part of those guarantees.
“The fact that these talks are ongoing, that we are preparing for
this hopeful, soon-to-be achieved eventuality — NATO tries to steer
that in the direction we think would be advisable,” Rutte said.
The meeting in Turkey comes less than a month after the United
States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to “eliminate
the use of force” in the Black Sea. However, key details remained
unresolved, and the Kremlin has tied the deal to the lifting of
certain Western sanctions.
Commenting on ongoing negotiations with the U.S. over a revised
draft of an agreement that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s
valuable mineral resources, Zelenskyy described last week’s
technical talks in Washington as positive, with more consultations
expected in the coming days.
He said the meeting was a technical session for expert teams and
that “both sides concluded the meeting on a positive note.”
Zelenskyy added that discussions — both online and in person — will
continue throughout the week, and once the teams are ready, they
will present the outcomes of their work.
A city mourns its dead
Meanwhile, residents of Sumy were still mourning their loved ones
killed in Sunday's attack. Among the dead was Olena Kohut, pianist
and a solo organist at the regional philharmonic, and a farewell
ceremony was held in the local theatre where she often played.
Dozens came to say goodbye to the gifted musician and piano teacher,
who was killed while on her way to rehearsals. Mourners wept,
holding red roses, as they approached her coffin at the local
theatre where she taught piano and mentored young musicians. The
crowd then clapped in respect as her coffin was driven away and out
of sight.
“The Sumy region lost a lot with her,” said Serhiy Dorofieiev, 39,
director of the theater where Kohut worked.
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