NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on 3 February, travelling to the Ukrainian capital as Russia launched a significant missile and drone assault across the country. His trip coincided with frigid winter conditions, with temperatures in Kyiv dipping to minus 25 degrees Celsius.
During his visit, Rutte toured a damaged energy facility in Kyiv that provides heating to thousands of residents. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who accompanied him, underscored the critical need to better protect power and heating networks from further attacks. Shmyhal called for accelerated deliveries of air defence systems, cautioning that Russia is increasing its weapons production. He stressed that timely international support is essential for Ukraine to maintain basic services throughout the winter months.
Rutte’s schedule included a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and an address to the Ukrainian parliament, where he reaffirmed Allied support for Ukraine’s defence. He also laid a candle at Maidan Square, a site of historical significance, in tribute to the victims of the ongoing war.
While the visit did not entail the announcement of new military aid packages, Rutte indicated that NATO is actively learning from Ukraine’s combat experiences, particularly in drone and cyber warfare. This statement signals a continued, if evolving, commitment from the alliance to support Ukraine’s defence capabilities as the conflict persists.
The visit highlights the acute vulnerabilities of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure during the cold season and the broader strategic challenge of sustaining defensive operations against intensified Russian aerial campaigns. It also frames NATO’s role as shifting towards long-term capability development and knowledge sharing, alongside ongoing material assistance, as allied nations assess how to best support Ukraine over the extended duration of the war.
