Rutte arrived in the Ukrainian capital hours after Kyiv launched drone attacks on the Russian city of Saint Petersburg — where officials and visiting dignitaries were gathering for a flagship economic forum — and a day after massive Russian attacks killed 23 people across Ukraine.

“Russia’s recklessness is not new. But as Ukraine continues to stand strong, to innovate, and to make battlefield gains, Russia is increasingly desperate,” Rutte told a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

He pointed to Russian casualties and mounting economic pressures, which he said were putting Moscow under strain.

“Tragically, they are showing no signs of stopping. The most recent attacks on Kyiv and across Ukraine make that clear,” he said.

Shortly after Rutte spoke, air raid alerts sounded across Kyiv warning of a possible Russian attack.

The Saint Petersburg attack was the latest in a string of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes, which have rattled Moscow.

Rutte praised the operations, and Ukrainian progress on the battlefield.

“Ukraine is increasingly successful, both when it comes to the front line, but also when it comes to making sure, you’re able to take out some of the key capabilities and capacities of the Russians to continue with the war,” he said.

Ukraine regained control over more territory than it lost to Moscow in May for the second month running, according to AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) — halting months of grinding Russian advances.

Zelensky has pushed Nato countries to up their deliveries of air defence systems — in particular US-made Patriot batteries and ammunition, which Kyiv says it needs to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles.