NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Zagreb for talks with Croatia’s political leadership, praising the country’s contribution to Allied security and its continuing support for Ukraine. Rutte met President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, as well as senior members of the Croatian government.
Rutte said Croatia has become an important member of the Alliance since joining NATO in 2009, contributing to security on NATO’s eastern flank, in the Western Balkans and across the wider Alliance. He also welcomed Croatia’s commitment to continue increasing defence expenditure after reaching NATO’s 2 percent benchmark in 2025.
Ukraine was a major part of the discussions. NATO said Croatia has provided more than €300 million in military assistance since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. That support has included helicopters, transport aircraft, artillery systems, ammunition and protective equipment. Croatia also contributed €15 million to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List in December 2025.
During the visit, Rutte also met representatives of Croatia’s defence industry and Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković. He said continued assistance to Ukraine remains particularly important during winter as Russian attacks continue to target civilian and energy infrastructure.