The new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sees supporting Ukraine and securing the alliance against Russia as the main tasks. Rutte said on Tuesday when he took office in Brussels that he was determined to “prepare NATO for the challenges of the future.” However, the long-time Dutch head of government appeared cautious when it came to key demands from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The ambassadors of the 32 NATO countries gave Rutte a standing ovation as he took over the office of Secretary General at the Brussels headquarters from his long-time predecessor Jens Stoltenberg. The 57-year-old assured that Ukraine was “at the top of his list” of tasks for the next four years.
He is also concerned with stronger collective defense and deterrence against Russia as well as higher defense spending. There is “no excuse” for not investing more in armaments, said Rutte. However, critics were right to accuse him of having advocated tough austerity measures as head of government, he admitted in response to questions from journalists.
US President Joe Biden expressed his “full confidence” in Rutte. The new NATO chief will continue to work to ensure that the alliance is “stronger, larger and more determined in its mission to create a safer world for our peoples,” said Biden.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) assures Rutte of the support of the federal government. The unity with which NATO responded to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine was “the guarantee of our common security,” explained Scholz in a congratulatory letter to the new NATO chief. “I am sure that under your leadership the alliance will successfully continue on this path.”
Ukrainian President Zelenskyj also congratulated Rutte on the new position. Ukraine will continue on its path to full NATO membership, he emphasized in the online service X. Only together can a “peaceful, stable and secure Europe” be guaranteed.
In his first press conference as Secretary General, however, Rutte expressed reservations on the question of Ukrainian NATO membership and a possible peace with Russia. Both are difficult to predict. Rutte was also cautious about Zelensky’s demand for a free hand in the use of long-range Western weapons against targets in Russia. The decision rests solely with countries like the USA, which supplied these weapons, said Rutte.
The Dutchman was unconcerned about the US presidential election at the beginning of November. He assured that he could work with both Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.
In his home country, Rutte is considered a “Trump whisperer” because he earned his respect during the Republican’s first term in office until 2021. Rutte did not want to comment on Trump’s threat to extradite allies to Russia if they did not pay enough for defense. Many countries warn against such a scenario, which would be a clear break with NATO support article five.
Stoltenberg called Rutte the perfect secretary general. In 14 years at the head of the Dutch government, he has proven that he can build consensus and make compromises. The 65-year-old Norwegian was greeted with sustained applause by the NATO employees. He is reportedly moving to the Munich Security Conference.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Rutte on the new position. She hoped for an even closer partnership between the EU and NATO, she wrote in the online service X.
Rutte’s main tasks as Secretary General include coordinating military aid and mediating between member states in disputes. Rutte also wants to prepare the Europeans in NATO for more personal responsibility. The next NATO summit will take place next year in Rutte’s hometown of The Hague.