Rutte Slams Russia’s Attacks Amid Peace Talks

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned Russia’s massive missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during a visit to Kyiv on February 3, 2026 — just hours before renewed US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Speaking before Ukraine’s parliament, Rutte stated: ‘Direct talks are now underway — that’s important progress. But Russian attacks like last night’s do not reflect genuine seriousness about peace.’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strikes involved over 70 missiles, including a record number of ballistic missiles, targeting critical energy facilities amid sub-zero temperatures. He accused Moscow of exploiting a proposed US ceasefire pause not for diplomacy, but to regroup and launch a coordinated winter assault. Zelenskyy and Rutte also discussed accelerating deliveries of air defense systems and licensing U.S. weapons production in Europe. The next round of negotiations with Russian and American officials begins February 4 in Abu Dhabi.