NATO chief reaffirms support for Ukraine during a visit to the port city of Odesa

ODESA, Ukraine — NATO's support for Ukraine remains ''unwavering,'' the alliance's secretary-general said Tuesday, emphasizing that more than 20 billion euros — over $22 billion — in security assistance has already been pledged by NATO allies in the first three months of the year.

Mark Rutte spoke on Tuesday in Ukraine's port city of Odesa, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

His visit came days after two Russian ballistic missiles struck the city of Sumy on Palm Sunday morning, killing at least 35 people, including two children, and injuring 119.

The attack on the northeastern city, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Ukraine's border with Russia, marked the second large-scale attack in just over a week to result in significant civilian casualties. Earlier this month, about 20 people were killed, including nine children, after a Russian ballistic missile struck Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih on April 4.

''I'm here today because I believe Ukraine's people deserve real peace, real safety and security in their country, in their homes,'' Rutte said during a joint news conference with Zelenskyy. The two met with wounded Ukrainian soldiers at a hospital in Odesa.

This is Rutte's first trip to Ukraine since U.S. President Donald Trump assumed the lead in ceasefire negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, which have included several rounds of talks in Saudi Arabia.

''These discussions are not easy, not least in the wake of this horrific violence,'' Rutte said, referring to the recent strikes. ''But we all support President Trump's push for peace.''

A 'coalition of the willing'

Meanwhile, Ukraine and its European partners are continuing to develop the infrastructure for the ''coalition of the willing,'' which is expected to act as a long-term security guarantee aimed at deterring future Russian aggression after a ceasefire is in place.

Amid that uncertainty and U.S. warnings that Europe must take care of its own security and that of Ukraine in the future, the multinational force is seen as a first test of the continent's willingness to defend itself and its interests.

Zelenskyy said Turkey could play a significant role in providing future Black Sea security guarantees for Ukraine.

''This is not about ending the war, unfortunately,'' Zelenskyy said, commenting on the security meeting being hosted by Turkey on Tuesday and Wednesday. ''It's about what comes after — the security guarantees for Ukraine following a ceasefire.''

''The fact that these talks are ongoing, that we are preparing for this hopeful, soon-to-be achieved eventuality — NATO tries to steer that in the direction we think would be advisable,'' Rutte said.

The meeting in Turkey comes less than a month after the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to ''eliminate the use of force'' in the Black Sea. However, key details remained unresolved, and the Kremlin has tied the deal to the lifting of certain Western sanctions.

Commenting on ongoing negotiations with the U.S. over a revised draft of an agreement that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine's valuable mineral resources, Zelenskyy described last week's technical talks in Washington as positive, with more consultations expected in the coming days.

He said the meeting was a technical session for expert teams and that ''both sides concluded the meeting on a positive note.'' Zelenskyy added that discussions — both online and in person — will continue throughout the week, and once the teams are ready, they will present the outcomes of their work.

A city mourns its dead

Dozens came to say goodbye to the gifted musician and piano teacher, who was killed while on her way to rehearsals. Mourners wept, holding red roses, as they approached her coffin at the local theatre where she taught piano and mentored young musicians. The crowd then clapped in respect as her coffin was driven away and out of sight.

''The Sumy region lost a lot with her,'' said Serhiy Dorofieiev, 39, director of the theater where Kohut worked.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine