NATO appointed outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next Secretary General on Wednesday (June 26). As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates and the security situation in Europe reaches a critical juncture, the leadership of this global largest security organization is under close scrutiny.
During a meeting held at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, ambassadors from the 32 NATO member countries made the decision to appoint Rutte as the new Secretary General. His only competitor, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, withdrew from the race last week, clearing the path for Dutch Prime Minister Rutte to become the next leader of the military alliance.
Rutte expressed his anticipation to take up the new role with “great energy.”
“The alliance is now and will be the cornerstone of our collective security. Leading this organization is my responsibility, and I will not take it lightly,” he posted on the social media platform X.
According to a press release from NATO, Rutte will assume office on October 1, succeeding the current NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
US President Biden and other leaders of member countries will officially welcome Rutte at the NATO summit in Washington from July 9 to 11.
At 57, Rutte is a fierce critic of Russian President Putin and a staunch ally of Ukraine. During his nearly 14 years as Dutch Prime Minister, he honed his skills in political maneuvering.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Rutte has been one of Europe’s advocates for providing military support to Ukraine. He emphasized that Moscow’s failure on the battlefield is crucial to ensuring peace in Europe.
In 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 298 people, including 196 Dutch citizens. The Netherlands holds Russia responsible for the downing of the plane, an incident that significantly influenced Rutte’s views on Russia.
Rutte asserts that NATO must have strong capabilities to counter Moscow, and other EU leaders should not hold naive attitudes towards Russia under Putin’s leadership.
“If we don’t stop him now, he won’t stop at Ukraine. The impact of this war will be greater than Ukraine itself. This is about upholding international order,” Rutte stated in a speech at the United Nations in September 2022, seven months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In the final months of his premiership, Rutte signed a ten-year security agreement with Ukraine. Despite facing criticism from the far right, he ensured Dutch support for Ukraine.
Rutte has spent his entire life in The Hague. He took office for the first time in 2010 and subsequently became the longest-serving Prime Minister of the Netherlands. He announced plans to retire from Dutch politics last year. Previously hinting at a desire to teach after his political career ends, the Russia-Ukraine conflict changed his plans. He now aims to seek the significant international position of NATO’s leader.
After the MH17 flight was shot down, Rutte shifted his focus from domestic affairs to becoming one of the main brokers in EU trade negotiations. He played a key role in European debates on immigration, debt, and responding to COVID-19.
Under his leadership, the Netherlands increased defense spending to meet NATO’s requirement of exceeding 2% of GDP, providing F-16 fighter jets, artillery, drones, and ammunition to Ukraine, and heavily investing in the Dutch military.
Last year, Rutte consolidated efforts to become NATO’s new leader. He co-led an international alliance that supplied F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and trained Ukrainian pilots.
“I warmly welcome NATO allies’ selection of Mark Rutte as my successor,” current NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said on Wednesday. “Mark is a true trans-Atlanticist, a strong leader, and a consensus builder. I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO to address both current and future challenges. I know I am passing NATO into safe hands.”
The NATO Secretary General’s responsibilities include chairing meetings and guiding consultations among member countries to ensure the smooth functioning of this consensus-based organization. NATO leaders also ensure implementation of decisions and represent all member countries.
The change in NATO leadership comes at a critical moment as the alliance celebrates its 75th anniversary and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues. Rutte faces the challenge of continuing to encourage allies to support Ukraine while preventing NATO from directly engaging in war with Russia.
Rutte has established good relations with leaders from the UK and the US. He also maintained a good relationship with former US President Trump and is considered one of the most successful EU leaders in dealing with Trump.
Reuters believes that Rutte’s relationship with Trump would be valuable if Trump returns to the White House.
During this year’s Munich Security Conference, Rutte stated that Europe “should stop whining, complaining and nagging about Trump.” Regardless of who wins the US election, Europe should increase defense spending and strengthen ammunition production, he emphasized.