(Brussels) NATO’s 32 nations on Wednesday named Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as their next secretary general, at a crucial time for the Alliance as Russia continues its war in Ukraine.
Mr. Rutte, 57, will take office on October 1, replacing Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg, who has been in office for ten years.
“I know that I will leave NATO in good hands”, reacted the latter on the social network X. “Mark is a true defender of transatlantic relations, a strong leader and a consensus builder”.
His appointment was also immediately welcomed by the Ukrainian presidency. “Your leadership and commitment to democratic principles are crucial for our common future,” wrote the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration Andriy Yermak.
“Your leadership and experience will be crucial for the Alliance during this difficult period,” responded the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, calling for a strengthening of the partnership between the EU and NATO .
A veteran of European politics, Mark Rutte very quickly obtained the support of the most important countries in the Alliance, starting with the United States.
His appointment was nothing more than a formality after the withdrawal of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis’ candidacy last week.
The last country to defend it, Hungary, announced that it would now support the Dutch Prime Minister, after having obtained the latter’s guarantee that Budapest would continue to be exempt from any military aid to Ukraine. Hungary, a member of NATO and the EU, is the closest country in Europe to Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
In addition to the Russian threat, the Dutch leader will have to deal with the result of the American elections in November. The United States alone represents half of the military weight of the Alliance.
The prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House haunts the corridors of NATO in Brussels. Notoriously distrustful of the Alliance, which he described as “obsolete”, the American billionaire has increased his criticism against the European allies, accused of not spending enough on their defense.
Better “burden sharing” is a constant American demand and Mr Rutte has repeatedly stressed that Mr Trump was right to criticize European inertia on the matter.
These remarks earned him the title of “Trump whisperer.” This ability supposed to coax the former American president undoubtedly worked in his favor, in the perspective of a possible return of the American billionaire to the White House.
However, Mark Rutte’s Netherlands has shown little enthusiasm for meeting the commitment made by NATO countries in 2014 to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on military spending. This target was only reached this year.
Mr. Rutte, on the other hand, is a staunch defender of Ukraine.
The Hague signed an agreement this year for two billion euros in military assistance over 10 years, later adding another billion. The Netherlands has also spearheaded efforts to equip Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets, a move described as “historic” by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Thanks to his years of experience in Dutch politics and on the international scene, Rutte has developed a real ability to find balances,” explains Philippe Dickinson of the Atlantic Council.
“This statecraft will be tested to an unprecedented level in the years to come.”
