Von der Leyen and Rutte: Russian war is the biggest threat to peace and security in Europe

(Patria) - Russia's aggressive war is the biggest threat to peace and security in Europe, and the assistance of North Korean forces to Russia represents a major escalation of the war against Ukraine, concluded the heads of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Mark Rutte.

"Russia's aggressive war on European soil is the single biggest threat to peace and security on the European continent," reads a joint statement following the first meeting between Von der Leyen and Rutte, who recently took office as NATO Secretary General.

The escalation in Russia's war against Ukraine is a serious threat to European security and global peace.

In this context, a close and strategic partnership between the EU and @NATO is more vital than ever.

@SecGenNATORutte and I just agreed to step up our cooperation ↓

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 29, 2024

Both agreed that the deployment of North Korean soldiers in support of Russia's aggressive war represents a significant escalation of the war against Ukraine and a serious threat to European security and global peace.

At their first meeting, they agreed to establish a high-level working group to strengthen existing cooperation between the EU and NATO.

Von der Leyen and Rutte also discussed the growing assertiveness of authoritarian states on the world stage.

"These states are challenging our common interests, values, and democratic principles, using multiple means – political, economic, technological, and military," stated Von der Leyen and Rutte.