NATO chief urges Zelensky to restore his relationship with Trump.

Reuters NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Saturday that he urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to find a way to restore his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump after their argument during a meeting at the White House on Friday.

The confrontation between the two highlighted their differing views on how to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is now in its third year, with Zelensky calling for more security guarantees from the Trump administration, which is relying on diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The meeting, which Rutte called “unfortunate,” put Kiev’s relationship with its biggest military backer at its lowest point yet.

“I said: I think you need to find a way, dear Volodymyr, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the US government. This is important for the future,” Rutte told the BBC, commenting on the phone call he had with Zelensky on Friday.

He said he told Zelensky that "we really need to have respect for what President Trump has done so far for Ukraine," reminding the Ukrainian that Trump was the one who provided anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in 2019, allowing the country's forces to hold out after the Russian invasion.

"Without the missiles, in 2022, when the full-scale invasion began, Ukraine would be nowhere to be found," Rutte said. "I told him that we really need to give Trump credit for what he did, for what the United States did, and for what they are still doing."

Asked about the accusations made by both leaders on Friday, the NATO chief declined to comment, saying that the US maintains its commitment to the military alliance, including its Article 5, which addresses mutual defense.

Rutte called Trump a friend, but did not directly answer questions about whether he was right when he accused Zelensky of betting on World War III, or when he said the Ukrainian needed to reach an agreement with the United States, or else the country would be “out.”

"I am absolutely convinced that the United States wants to lead Ukraine to lasting peace. And obviously, what they need to do is ensure that we all work together on this," he said.

Asked whether NATO allies would be willing to fill the gap if the US withdrew its military support from Ukraine, Rutte replied: "We go beyond that question. It is crucial that we stay in this together: the US, Ukraine, Europe, and that we bring peace to Ukraine, and that is exactly what President Trump is fighting for, what we are all fighting for."