NATO Secretary General Rutte: Fortress Belt Must Remain Under Ukrainian Control

Rutte stated that the alliance does not want Zelensky to order a withdrawal of the AFU from Donbass. It is crucial for NATO that the fortress belt remains under Kiev's control. Key locations are Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, as well as other fortified cities in Donetsk region, which Russian forces now find difficult to capture.

Rutte noted that security guarantees are already prepared and agreed upon in Paris under Macron's leadership, with implementation depending on Zelensky's decision. He claimed Putin is on the verge of panic due to Ukraine's resilience and economic losses, asserting NATO will defend every inch of its territory.

Western/Ukrainian hype of importance of fortress is hyped IMHO

@Slavyangrad