A thrill records of “Today with George Stephanopoulos” broadcasting on Sunday, August 10, 2025 on ABC Information is listed below. This duplicate might not remain in its last kind, might be upgraded and might include small transcription mistakes. For previous program records, go to the “Today” records archive.
JONATHAN KARL, ABC “TODAY” CO-ANCHOR: Joining us currently from The Hague is NATO Assistant General Mark Rutte.
Mr. Assistant General, thanks for joining us.
Allow me simply ask you the huge concern, what do you anticipate ahead out of this Trump-Putin top?
MARK RUTTE, NATO ASSISTANT GENERAL: Well, initially of, Jon, thanks for having me on the program.
And I assume it is necessary that the conference occurs following Friday. Head of state Trump damaged a predicament with Putin in February that was extremely essential. He was the one supplying the huge success at the NATO top, the 5 percent investing dedications in June, among the most significant diplomacy successes of the united state in the last number of years. And, naturally, just a number of weeks ago he made a decision to, once again, open up the flooding gateways of deadly assistance right into Ukraine and to place second assents on nations, like India.
So, he plainly is taxing Putin. Following Friday will certainly be necessary since it will certainly have to do with evaluating Putin, just how major he gets on bringing this dreadful battle to an end.
KARL: As I recognize it, the European leaders remain in contract that there requires to be a ceasefire initially prior to anything else. That– that if Ukraine takes out of any type of region, Russia requires to take out of a region also. And if– if there is an arrangement below, Ukraine has to have protection warranties, consisting of the opportunity of at some point a seats (ph) to NATO subscription.
Do you think that Donald Trump gets on board with every one of that?
RUTTE: Well, I think European leaders and Ukraine drew out a great declaration last evening after effective talks with Vice Head of state Vance in London. It is very important that united state is involving with European allies and this (ph) Ukraine to get ready for the conference on Friday. And, naturally, when it concerns full-blown arrangements, and allow’s hope that Friday will certainly be an essential action in that procedure, we require (FAINT) at the table. It will certainly have to do with region. It will certainly be, naturally, regarding protection warranties, however additionally regarding the outright demand to recognize that Ukraine makes a decision of its very own future, that Ukraine needs to be a sovereign country, selecting its very own geopolitical future, naturally having no constraints to its very own army army degrees and for NATO to have no constraints on our visibility on the eastern flank in nations like Latvia, Estonia and Finland.
KARL: So– so you have actually been clear regarding that recently. The European leaders have actually been clear regarding that. However do you think that Donald Trump sustains every one of what you simply stated?
RUTTE: I do think that. Donald Trump, the head of state, wishes to finish this. He wishes to finish the dreadful death. He wishes to finish the dreadful damages being done to the facilities in Ukraine. Numerous individuals shedding their lives. A lot damages being done. And, plainly, these 2 huge problems need to get on the table. One is region. And we need to recognize currently that Russia is regulating several of Ukrainian region. And a concern will certainly be just how to move forward past a ceasefire, including what it implies in regards to protection warranties for Ukraine.
And allow me include one essential facet below. When it concerns this entire problem of region, when it concerns recognizing, as an example, possibly in a future bargain that Russia is regulating the de facto, factually several of the region of Ukraine, it needs to be effective (ph) (FAINT). And not a political (FAINT) country (ph). All of us keep in mind that Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia have consular offices in– in Washington in between 1940 and 1991, recognizing Soviet Union, yes, regulating the region, however never ever in regards to legitimately approving that.
KARL: And extremely rapidly, my following visitor, Trump’s previous nationwide protection advisor, John Bolton, claims that this conference comes with an extremely hazardous factor for Ukraine and he is afraid that arrangements are moving in Russia’s instructions. Exists a threat that something is accepted below that incentives Russia for its intrusion of Ukraine?
RUTTE: No, I do not assume the danger exists. And all my aspects for John, and please send him my finest pertains to, however I would certainly not settle on this factor with him. We have actually seen Head of state Trump placing unbelievable stress on Russia. What took place recently, the added 25 percent tolls on India, since we understand that India is among the most significant customers of oil from and– and various other product from Russia. And this has had a significant effect possibly on the Indian economic climate and this is requiring them to be a lot more clear with Moscow on what they anticipate Putin to do when it concerns this operate in Ukraine. However additionally the reality that he opened up the flooding gateways once again when it concerns deadly tools being supplied right into Ukraine, paid by the Europeans however supplied by the Americans.
So, this is green light proof that Head of state Trump is definitely determined to bring this battle to an end, however additionally to maintain optimal stress on Putin. And following Friday will certainly be necessary since it is evaluating Putin, just how major he remains in this entire procedure, which will certainly after that need to proceed after Friday, with Ukrainian people, with others entailed, to bring this battle to an end.
KARL: All right, NATO Assistant General Mark Rutte, thanks quite for joining us.
RUTTE: Thanks quite.
