NATO Chief Recalls Meeting with Ukraine's Mine-Sniffing Dog Patron: 'He Told Me We Will Never Surrender'

NATO Secretary General's Visit to Ukraine

According to Главком: During a visit to Ukraine's Chernihiv region, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Patron, a Jack Russell terrier who serves as a sapper dog, trained to detect explosives and prevent further detonations. Rutte recounted this encounter while speaking at the Munich Security Conference.

Key Conference Discussions

At the conference on February 14, 2026, Rutte also held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their primary discussions centered on the PURL program and reviewing the outcomes of the latest 'Ramstein' format meeting, where allied partners confirmed a total aid package of 38 billion euros for Ukraine.

Sharing his impressions of meeting the celebrated canine, Rutte remarked:

'I looked the dog Patron in the eyes and he told me that we will never surrender.' - Mark Rutte

The NATO chief's words highlight the courage displayed not only by the life-saving animals but also by the people involved in rescue operations. 'I even looked a dog in the eyes, and he told me we will never surrender,' Rutte added, emphasizing the significance of Patron's work in the wartime context. Patron became a national symbol of resilience in Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion.

Rutte's visit to Ukraine and his meeting with Patron underscore the international community's support for Ukrainian efforts to mitigate the war's consequences. The PURL program and the financial assistance pledged at the 'Ramstein' meeting reaffirm partners' commitments to regional stability and security. The encounter with Patron, a symbol of bravery and determination, stresses the importance of both the technical and the moral support Ukraine requires during this challenging period.