NATO’s new chief, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, officially took over as NATO’s 14th Secretary General from Jens Stoltenberg at a ceremony in the Alliance’s Brussels headquarters. The two leaders have a long-standing friendship that began almost 15 years ago when they were the heads of Norway and the Netherlands. Stoltenberg, who served as the Alliance chief for 10 years, handed over the mantle to Rutte amid ongoing geopolitical challenges, particularly from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In his acceptance speech, Rutte pledged to continue supporting Ukraine, increase defense spending among NATO members, and strengthen partnerships in Asia and the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of upholding the international rule of law and stopping Putin’s aggression in Ukraine.
Rutte’s leadership as NATO Secretary General comes at a crucial time, with the conflict in Ukraine ongoing. He has been a vocal advocate for Ukraine, forming strong ties with President Volodymyr Zelensky and positioning the Netherlands as a key supporter through military aid and coalition formations.
