Rutte denies that Zelensky's meeting with Trump on October 17 was a "complete failure"

Meeting of the US President Donald Trump with a Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, October 17, was successful. This was announced during a conversation with journalists, reported NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

He was asked whether his visit to the United States showed that Trump's meeting with Zelensky on Friday was a "complete failure."

"No, not at all, because it was planned in advance. I was in touch with the [US] president after his great success in Gaza, and we agreed to have a meeting in Washington to discuss how we can now realize his vision of peace in Ukraine," Rutte said.

He believes that "it was a good, successful meeting – exactly what we needed."

The NATO Secretary General emphasized that the American president, who broke the deadlock in relations with the Russian dictator in February Vladimir Putin, took on a leadership role that only he can fulfill, and he is fulfilling it.

"I sincerely recognize this. It was a good meeting, and we will build on it to continue our work," the official summarized.

• October 17 at the White House, a meeting was held to Zelenskyy and Trump. The leaders did not make any announcements based on its results.
• After the talks, Zelenskyy called up the European partners. At the same time, Trump once again called for an end to the war on the front line.
• On October 18, the Axios publication, citing sources, wrote that the meeting was "difficult". One of the interlocutors simply said that she "was bad."