On June 26, 2024, the North Atlantic Council appointed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next Secretary General of NATO, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg. This places the outgoing Dutch prime minister in charge of the world’s largest security organisation at a critical time for European security as war rages in Ukraine. Mark Rutte is the longest-serving Dutch prime minister, a strong supporter of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. NATO ambassadors confirmed Rutte’s appointment during a meeting at the 32-nation Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
Rutte believes that NATO must be robust to counter Moscow and has been one of the driving forces behind Europe’s military support for Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion. He considers a defeat on the battlefield for Moscow vital to securing peace in Europe.
“It is a tremendous honour to be appointed Secretary-General of NATO. The Alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security. Leading this organisation is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I’m grateful to all the Allies for placing their trust in me. I look forward to taking up the position with great vigour in October, as successor to @jensstoltenberg, who has provided NATO with outstanding leadership for the past ten years, and for whom I have always had great admiration,” Rutte posted on X.
The outgoing Dutch prime minister will succeed the current secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, on October 1. U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders will officially welcome him at a summit in Washington from July 9 to 11.
Stoltenberg has been in his position for over a decade, and his term has been extended several times, in part to maintain continuity after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Jens Stoltenberg has warmly welcomed NATO Allies’ selection of Mark Rutte as his replacement.
“Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader and a consensus-builder. I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO. I know I am leaving NATO in good hands,” Stoltenberg posted on X.
The downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014, which the Netherlands blamed on Russia and resulted in the deaths of 196 out of 298 victims who were Dutch, was a significant event in understanding Putin’s approach to warfare and his ambitions. Rutte urged European Union leaders not to be naive about Putin’s Russia, explaining that the Russian President won’t stop at Ukraine if they don’t take action to stop him.
“This war is bigger than Ukraine itself. It’s about upholding the international rule of law,” Rutte told the United Nations in September 2022.
The Presidents of Ukraine and Moldova also welcomed the appointment of Mark Rutte.
“Congratulations to @MinPres Mark Rutte on the Allies’ decision to appoint him as the next Secretary General of NATO. When Mr Rutte takes over this post from @JensStoltenberg in October, we anticipate that our joint work to ensure the protection of people and freedom throughout our entire Euro-Atlantic community will continue at a good pace,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X.
“I know Mark Rutte as a principled and strong leader who has demonstrated his decisiveness and vision on many occasions over the past years. I also take this opportunity to thank Mr. Stoltenberg for his remarkable contribution to strengthening NATO in the last ten years of his tenure and his unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom,” Zelenskyy added.
Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, wrote on her account on X: “Warm congratulations to @MinPres Mark Rutte on being elected as the next NATO Secretary General. We value our long-standing partnership with NATO, which helps us build resilience as we work towards a stable, secure, and more prosperous Moldova. Best wishes in this new role.”
