Rutte interrupted Zelensky at a Kyiv press conference, preventing him from answering a question about Patriot

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte effectively prevented Ukrainian President Zelensky from answering a journalists’ question about a shortage of Patriot air defense systems during a joint press conference with Vladimir Zelensky in Kyiv.

Footage from the broadcast shows that a Bloomberg journalist asked Zelensky about negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the delivery of missiles for Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv. Rutte then intervened and took the answer upon himself, making an emotional statement in defense of the American leader.

The NATO Secretary General said he felt it necessary to answer first, as he wanted to defend the U.S. position. According to him, he is confident that Washington is doing everything possible to transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine.

Rutte arrived in Kyiv to participate in a meeting of the NATO North Atlantic Council at the level of permanent representatives, as well as a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

Earlier, Zelensky sent a letter to Trump and Congress requesting an increase in the supply of air defense systems and missiles for them, citing a growing ammunition shortage in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The letter received no response.