NATO has formally appointed outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next Secretary-General, amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and looming uncertainties about the future stance of the United States’ on the transatlantic alliance.
The appointment was made by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the 32-nation alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. This decision follows the withdrawal of his sole competitor, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who exited the race last week after failing to gain sufficient support.
The 57-year-old will take over from Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, who is the current Secretary-General and will conclude his term on October 1. Stoltenberg assumed office in 2014, shortly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Rutte, who has served as the Dutch Prime Minister for nearly 14 years, received early backing for the NATO role from influential alliance members, including the United States, Britain, France, and Germany.
Initially, some Eastern European nations hesitated, advocating for a candidate from their region to hold the position for the first time.
However, they eventually rallied behind Rutte, recognising his strong stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his steadfast support for Ukraine.
Rutte’s confirmation required unanimous approval from all 32 NATO members, a consensus reached last week. His leadership will be pivotal in maintaining allied support for Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression while ensuring that NATO avoids direct involvement in the conflict with Moscow.
Another significant challenge for Rutte will be navigating the potential implications of a return to the White House by NATO-sceptic Donald Trump. Trump’s previous presidency raised concerns among NATO leaders about the U.S.’s commitment to defending alliance members under attack.
