On Tuesday (9 September 2025), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited London, where he participated in a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) to discuss continued support for Ukraine and met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street.
The UGDC is an initiative involving more than 50 nations committed to supporting Ukraine through the provision of military aid. During the meeting, Mr Rutte made clear that Allies are united in ending Russia's war against Ukraine and ensuring Ukraine can secure a just and durable peace.
In his meeting with the Prime Minister, the Secretary General praised the United Kingdom for stepping up to enhance Allied security. He welcomed the commitment to raising defence spending, the expansion of its defence industry, and the leading role Britain has taken, alongside France, in convening the Coalition of the Willing that is working to design security guarantees for Ukraine.
During his visit to London, Mr Rutte also met UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey, UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper, Ukraine's Minister of Defence Dennis Shmyhal, and Germany's Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius.
