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reference news network reported on october 4 according to a report by agence france-presse on october 3, new nato secretary-general mark rutte visited kyiv on the 3rd just two days after taking office and reiterated the west’s support for ukraine.

according to reports, this visit comes during a difficult period for ukraine. the ukrainian army is retreating steadily on the eastern front and is short of troops and weapons. one sign of these difficulties: russia confirmed on the 3rd that it had captured vukhledar in eastern ukraine, where fierce fighting has lasted for more than two years.

rutte said: "my first task and prerogative is to promote this support (from the west) to ensure victory in ukraine".

according to reports, zelensky expressed regret for western countries' "delay" in delivering long-range missiles to ukraine. "we need weapons of sufficient quantity and quality, including long-range weapons, and it seems to me that our partners are delaying in this regard," zelensky said.

he stressed that his mission also included "persuading" the west to "shoot down russian missiles and drones" targeting ukraine, while saying he knew "this is a difficult decision." (compiled/lin xiaoxuan)

on october 3, nato secretary-general mark rutte visited ukraine and met with ukrainian president zelensky (right). (reuters)