Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte appointed as head of Nato – amid huge global tensions with the war in Ukraine and possible Donald Trump White House return
- Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Mark Rutte on his new role
- He will take charge of the defense alliance in October amid the war in Ukraine
- His appointment was sealed by NATO ambassadors at a meeting in Brussels
Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been appointed as the new Secretary General of NATO.
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Mr Rutte, who will take charge of the defense alliance in October amid the war in Ukraine and a wider standoff between NATO and Russia.
Rutte will also have to deal with the possibility of Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Trump has previously criticized NATO allies for not spending the required 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense.
Rutte succeeds Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg, who was at the helm for more than ten years.
Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been appointed the new Secretary General of NATO
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Mr Rutte, who will take charge of the defense alliance in October
Depending on the outcome of the general election, Sir Keir or Mr Sunak is likely to meet fellow NATO leaders at a summit in Washington DC just days after being elected as Prime Minister.
Mr Sunak wrote in an article on support for freedom.’
Sir Keir said: ‘As Prime Minister of the Netherlands for over a decade, Mark has demonstrated that he has the knowledge, experience and strength to be an excellent Secretary-General in these dangerous and uncertain times.’
The Conservatives have pledged to increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030, while Labor has said it will make the same commitment if finances allow.
Rutte’s appointment was sealed by NATO ambassadors at a meeting at the 32-nation alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.