Mark Rutte said a coordinated US‑European plan to end the war in Ukraine would reveal whether Putin genuinely seeks peace or is stalling to regroup. He suggested President Trump could play a pivotal role in bringing Russia to the negotiating table. Kyiv has sent Washington an updated roadmap based on a 28‑point plan, and Germany says further talks with the US are imminent. Rutte also warned that China is a crucial lifeline for Russia and that NATO would have to strengthen its eastern presence if Ukraine were occupied.
Rutte Says A US‑European Peace Plan Would 'Test' Whether Putin Really Wants Peace
NATO chief Mark Rutte in Berlin (Tobias SCHWARZ)(Tobias SCHWARZ/AFP/AFP)
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Thursday that a coordinated US and European plan to end the war in Ukraine would serve as a decisive 'test' of whether Russian President Vladimir Putin genuinely wants peace or is merely buying time to regroup.
Speaking at a security conference in Berlin, Rutte warned that, so far, Putin has adopted the role of peacemaker only when it suits him, using pauses in fighting to sustain his campaign. 'So, let's put Putin to the test. Let's see if he really wants peace, or if he prefers the slaughter to continue,' he said.
Why a Joint Plan Matters
Rutte argued that a unified Western approach would send a stronger signal to Moscow. He suggested that US President Donald Trump 'wants to end the bloodshed now' and could be uniquely positioned to persuade Putin to the negotiating table.
Ukrainian officials confirmed they have sent Washington an updated roadmap to halt Russia's invasion, expanding on a 28‑point proposal circulated by President Trump last month. The earlier plan drew criticism from Kyiv and several European capitals for appearing to ask Ukraine to cede territory that Moscow has not occupied.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said further consultations with US counterparts are planned for the coming weekend, and an international meeting on Ukraine 'could take place at the beginning of next week.'
Geopolitical Risks and NATO Implications
Rutte also warned that China has become a crucial lifeline for Moscow, asserting that Beijing 'wants to prevent its ally from losing in Ukraine' and that, without Chinese backing, Russia would face greater difficulty sustaining the war.
He cautioned that a Russian occupation of Ukraine would compel NATO to substantially increase its military presence along the alliance's eastern flank and push members to accelerate defence spending and production.
Rutte's remarks underscore growing Western efforts to coordinate a common position toward Kyiv and Moscow, and to test whether Russian diplomatic moves are sincere or tactical.
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