Nato chief Rutte dismisses Trump fears, vows Ukraine support
Published: 04:10 PM,Oct 01,2024 | EDITED : 08:10 PM,Oct 01,2024
Nato Secretary General and former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte delivers remarks during a handover ceremony, at Nato Headquarters in Brussels. — AFP
BRUSSELS: New Nato chief Mark Rutte on Tuesday downplayed fears over a potential Donald Trump victory in the US presidential election and pledged to keep backing Ukraine, as he assumed leadership of the world's most powerful military alliance.
The former Dutch prime minister steps into the role at a pivotal moment and just weeks before US voters choose a new leader. 'I'm determined to prepare Nato for the challenges of the future,' Rutte said as he formally took over as secretary general from Norway's Jens Stoltenberg at Nato's Brussels headquarters.
The outcome of the November 5 US vote is set to be the straight-talking 57-year-old's first major test -- and will shape his initial four-year term. On the campaign trail, former president Trump has threatened not to protect Nato members who do not spend enough on defence and promised a quick deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
'I'm not worried. I know both candidates very well. I worked for four years with Donald Trump. He was the one pushing us to spend more, and he achieved,' Rutte said. 'I will be able to work with both, whatever is the outcome of the elections.'
In opting for the veteran Dutch statesman, a staunch US ally and stalwart backer of Ukraine, Nato's 32 nations have picked a leader who will keep pushing support for Kyiv and efforts to bolster the alliance's own defences against Russia.
'Nato will be in safe hands with you at the helm,' said Stoltenberg, who has guided the alliance through one of its most tumultuous decades.
US President Joe Biden said he had full confidence Rutte 'will continue to build on our work to create a Nato that is stronger, larger, and more resolute than ever.'
Rutte listed Ukraine among his top priorities — along with ensuring Nato keeps on spending more on defence and bolstering ties with partners.
'Putin has to realise that we will not give in, that we want Ukraine to prevail in the end,' Rutte warned, saying he wanted 'to step up our support for Ukraine and bring it ever closer to Nato.' 'We must sustain this support into the future because Ukraine's rightful place is in Nato,' he added.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to work with Rutte as his country 'continues on its path towards full-fledged Nato membership.' Rutte backed Ukraine's right to use Western-supplied weapons inside Russia but said it was up to each Nato country to decide on any limitations. — AFP
The former Dutch prime minister steps into the role at a pivotal moment and just weeks before US voters choose a new leader. 'I'm determined to prepare Nato for the challenges of the future,' Rutte said as he formally took over as secretary general from Norway's Jens Stoltenberg at Nato's Brussels headquarters.
The outcome of the November 5 US vote is set to be the straight-talking 57-year-old's first major test -- and will shape his initial four-year term. On the campaign trail, former president Trump has threatened not to protect Nato members who do not spend enough on defence and promised a quick deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
'I'm not worried. I know both candidates very well. I worked for four years with Donald Trump. He was the one pushing us to spend more, and he achieved,' Rutte said. 'I will be able to work with both, whatever is the outcome of the elections.'
In opting for the veteran Dutch statesman, a staunch US ally and stalwart backer of Ukraine, Nato's 32 nations have picked a leader who will keep pushing support for Kyiv and efforts to bolster the alliance's own defences against Russia.
'Nato will be in safe hands with you at the helm,' said Stoltenberg, who has guided the alliance through one of its most tumultuous decades.
US President Joe Biden said he had full confidence Rutte 'will continue to build on our work to create a Nato that is stronger, larger, and more resolute than ever.'
Rutte listed Ukraine among his top priorities — along with ensuring Nato keeps on spending more on defence and bolstering ties with partners.
'Putin has to realise that we will not give in, that we want Ukraine to prevail in the end,' Rutte warned, saying he wanted 'to step up our support for Ukraine and bring it ever closer to Nato.' 'We must sustain this support into the future because Ukraine's rightful place is in Nato,' he added.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to work with Rutte as his country 'continues on its path towards full-fledged Nato membership.' Rutte backed Ukraine's right to use Western-supplied weapons inside Russia but said it was up to each Nato country to decide on any limitations. — AFP