eaders of NATO and the European Union reaffirmed their support for Ukraine on Tuesday (June 24) ahead of a meeting of alliance members in The Hague.

NATO's Secretary General, Mark Rutte, said he expected financial support for Ukraine would be greater in 2025 than in 2024, adding that he was confident support would remain firm going into the summit.

The EU's Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the creation of a 150 billion-euro ($170.7 billion) EU arms fund, approved last month. The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme allows joint EU borrowing to give loans to European countries for joint defence projects.

EU Council President, Antonio Costa, said Ukraine was moving forward with its push to join the Union by implementing reforms.

The two-day gathering is intended to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that NATO is united, despite U.S. President Trump's previous criticism of the alliance, and determined to expand and upgrade its defences to deter any attack from Moscow.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (JUNE 24, 2025) (NATO - Access All)

1. NATO SECRETARY GENERAL, MARK RUTTE, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT, ANTONIO COSTA, ARRIVING FOR PRESS CONFERENCE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL, MARK RUTTE, SAYING:

"What we are seeing at this moment is that European and Canadian partners, they are now basically ramping up the support for Ukraine. Already over 35 billion euros pledged this year. That's even before we reach half year on the 1st of July. And last year, it was for the full year, a little bit over 50 billion. So we can safely assume that the total amount for 2025 will be higher than in 2024. And this shows you that the support for Ukraine is ongoing. Tomorrow we will have a summit with NATO leaders, and I can also safely predict that the support for Ukraine going forward, closely linked to the defence spending of NATO countries, will be there and we'll also make sure that... of course, we hope the war will end soon. If it takes more time, that you have the support in terms of military capabilities, but also when the peace comes or a long-term ceasefire, that you are so strong that Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin will never, ever again try to capture one square mile or kilometre of Ukraine."

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"The most important is that the unity of NATO countries and all Europe and the European Union, and you see this unity around Ukraine. I think this is the most important thing. After this, it opens the way to strengthen Ukraine, to give us strong support, to help our people and families who are abroad to live, and to help our Ukrainians who are in Ukraine to survive."

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"We have just discussed how important it is for Ukraine to invest in the extraordinary, agile, and innovative Ukrainian defence industry. Therefore, we have designed a funding program of 150 billion euros -- we call it SAFE -- where member states, but also Ukraine and other partners, can take these loans to invest in the Ukrainian defence industry. Which has shown its ability to innovate, to produce fast and reliably, at scale. We can learn a lot from you, what that is concerned, but in this way, we can support you also for the survival of Ukraine."

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT, ANTONIO COSTA, SAYING:

"We are looking forward to our common future as Ukraine entire member of the European Union. I'm very happy with the recent assessment of the European Commission about your impressive work to deliver on reforms in such difficult situations. And for sure, we have reached the conditions to move forward the ongoing negotiation process to accession to the European Union."

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"We have to put pressure on President Putin that he comes to the negotiation table and that he's engaging seriously in negotiations for just and lasting peace. Therefore, the eighteenth sanctions package is a biting one, is a hard one. I know that our G7 friends will follow suit with their sanctions. So all this shows you are among friends; you can count on us, we stand by your side."

7. VARIOUS OF PRESS CONFERENCE ENDING