NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was in Kiev on Thursday for a surprise visit on his first official trip, vowing the alliance’s continued support to Ukraine. Rutte said it was important for him to visit Kiev at the start of his mandate “to make crystal clear” to all observers that NATO stands with Ukraine. Public details of the visit were kept limited for security reasons, a NATO official said. Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Rutte said Ukraine’s “fight for freedom” reflects NATO’s core principles and values. “Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before and will cont…