"We have to make sure that Ukraine survives": Mark Rutte officially becomes NATO Secretary General and makes first statements

On October 1, Mark Rutte officially took office as NATO Secretary General, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg. Rutte, who stepped down as Prime Minister of the Netherlands this year after a record 14 years at the helm of the government, is a strong supporter of Ukraine and its fight against Russian aggression.

He has repeatedly expressed his support for military assistance to Ukraine and pushed European countries to strengthen their defense capabilities. OBOZ.UA tells you everything you need to know about the new head of the Alliance and his attitude towards Ukraine.

"On this historic day, we say goodbye to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and welcome the new Secretary General Mark Rutte," the NATO page on the social network X said.

It is known that the handover ceremony took place at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where Rutte addressed a meeting of the North Atlantic Council and addressed the Alliance staff. Afterward, he will give his first press conference as the new head of the organization.

Ahead of his acceptance ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, Rutte said Ukraine would be at the top of his list of priorities as the Alliance's new head.

"Ukraine. We have to make sure that Ukraine survives as a sovereign, independent, democratic nation," Rutte said.

Other priorities, he said, will be deterrence and defense of the Alliance.

"We have to spend more. We must increase our collective defense," Rutte emphasized.

He also noted that, like Stoltenberg, he would build NATO's alliances with partners around the world.

Mark Rutte's position on the war in Ukraine

Mr. Rutte has been vocal in his support for Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. His commitment to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and independence was reflected in numerous statements during his tenure as prime minister. He called for increased military aid to Ukraine, advocated for expanding sanctions against Russia, and strengthened the defense of NATO countries, especially those on the eastern flank of the Alliance.

One of Rutte's key tasks in his new position will be to continue the work of his predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg, in rallying allies around support for Ukraine.

Rutte also urges European countries to focus on strengthening the continent's defense capabilities and not to panic over the possibility of Donald Trump's return to power in the United States. His main goal is for European countries to become more independent in security and defense matters.

Another task of the new NATO Secretary General will include finding compromises among member states, which is a key element of the Alliance's work, where decisions are made by consensus. As an experienced politician who led coalition governments in the Netherlands for 14 years, Rutte is well suited to this diplomatic role.

Biography of Mark Rutte

Mark Rutte was born on February 14, 1967, in The Hague into a large family. He holds a master's degree in history from Leiden University and has been active in politics since his student days, leading the youth organization of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy.

After graduation, he worked for Unilever but continued to be active in politics. In 2010, he became the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. His career has been marked not only by achievements in domestic politics but also by active participation in international affairs, in particular in European security and defense.

Mark Rutte will become NATO's new Secretary General at a key moment when the Alliance is facing new challenges, including the war in Ukraine.

To recap: Rutte was elected as the next NATO Secretary General on June 26. He will officially take office on October 1, 2024.

As previously reported by OBOZ.UA, Mark Rutte has a clear and consistent policy towards Ukraine. The politician has been supporting our country since 2014.

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