NATO leader Mark Rutte has issued a stern warning to incoming American President Donald Trump, stating that a ‘dire threat’ to the United States could arise if Ukraine is forced into an unfavorable peace deal.

Trump has pledged to negotiate a settlement with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to cease the war ‘within 24 hours’ of assuming office. However, there are widespread concerns that such a deal might require Ukraine to surrender territory already seized by Russian forces – a condition Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky has deemed unacceptable.

Rutte voiced his concerns yesterday, cautioning that pushing Kyiv into a subpar peace agreement with Russia would only serve to embolden Iran and China.

The Secretary-General of Nato warned against Trump’s plans for a swift peace deal, suggesting it would result in the West’s adversaries celebrating and planning their own assaults.

“We cannot have a situation where we have Kim Jong-un and the Russian leader and Xi Jinping and Iran high-fiving because we came to a deal which is not good for Ukraine.”

Last week the Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Donald Trump, suggesting that his incoming administration would “find a solution” to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Putin said, “As far as I can imagine, the newly elected president is an intelligent and already quite experienced person. I think he will find a solution.”

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that he did not think Trump would abandon Ukraine when he becomes president.

On Monday night, in a speech on foreign affairs, he said: “There’s no question it’s right we support Ukraine. But we must also be clear that it is deeply in our self-interest.

“I would encourage everyone here to stop and think for a moment about what it would mean to us, to our continent, to the world, if Russia wins. What would it mean for our values – for democracy, commerce, and liberty?”