Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte attends a European Union leaders informal summit in Brussels, Belgium June 17, 2024.
Mark Rutte, a staunch ally of Ukraine and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is set to become NATO's next secretary general, building on a career as a political dealmaker from his 14 years as Dutch prime minister.Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte attends a European Union leaders informal summit in Brussels on Monday. Hungary, Slovakia and Romania this week have cleared the path for Rutte to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general.
His view is heavily influenced by the downing of an airliner over Ukraine in 2014, which the Netherlands blames on Russia, and in which 196 of the 298 victims were Dutch. NATO must be powerful to counter Moscow, and other European Union leaders must not be naive about Putin's Russia, he says. Rutte had hinted he might enjoy teaching after politics, but he cited the war in Ukraine as the reason for seeking an international post as he set his sights on the NATO leadership.
His path to replace Stoltenberg, who steps down as NATO chief in October after nearly a decade at the helm, became more certain after Hungary and Slovakia indicated on Tuesday that they would back his nomination.Speaking in Ottawa, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he will work to ensure that all allies meet the defence spending benchmark of two per cent of GDP, including Canada.
Even while warning of the threat posed by Putin, Rutte has suggested the Russian leader is not as strong as he seems.
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