Zelenskyy ‘ready to play ball’ on peace, NATO Chief questions Russia after massive Ukraine attack

NATO Chief Says Zelenskyy 'Ready To Play Ball', Russia 'Creating Chaos' Amid Overnight Attacks

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is “ready to play ball” and open to negotiating a peace deal, but questioned Russia’s intentions following a massive overnight assault on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.

Rutte made the remarks during a joint press briefing with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, a day after Russia launched what Ukraine described as one of its most powerful attacks of 2026. The strikes targeted energy facilities across the country, leaving hundreds of thousands without heating and electricity as temperatures plunged below minus 20 degrees Celsius.

“The attack is, indeed, terrible. Over 70 missiles and 450 drones. It might even be the worst attack on Ukraine ever, but at least it is somewhere in the top two or three,” Rutte said. He added that the assault was not driven by military objectives. “This is just creating chaos for innocent citizens by hitting civilian infrastructure,” he said.

“The President of Ukraine is absolutely ready to play ball, to come to a deal with the Russians, which has to be acceptable for all parties, and particularly for Ukraine. But this attack makes you question whether the Russians are serious,” Rutte added.

An air raid alert warning of a possible Russian missile strike sounded across Kyiv during Rutte’s visit, AFP reporters said, with Ukraine’s air force warning of a “threat of a ballistic” missile.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia fired 71 missiles and 450 attack drones, damaging critical energy installations and a Soviet-era World War II monument. Five people were wounded in the capital, and thousands were left without power.

Rutte also praised US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war, calling the attacks a “really bad signal” ahead of planned peace talks. The strikes came a day before Ukrainian and Russian negotiators were due to meet for a second round of talks in Abu Dhabi, following the end of a seven-day pause in strikes on Kyiv requested by the United States.

Rutte arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit and laid flowers with Zelenskyy at a memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers.