A strong Nato, increased support to Ukraine and strengthened cooperation with others are promised by the Dutchman as he takes over the chairmanship from Norwegian Stoltenberg.
There will be no lasting security in Europe without a strong and independent Ukraine. Ukraine's rightful place is in Nato, Rutte emphasizes in his first appearance as Secretary-General.
For Nato, the change of leadership is a promise of continuity: a middle-aged man and former head of government from a medium-sized country in Western Europe takes over from another middle-aged man and former head of government from a medium-sized country in Western Europe. Rutte's words on Tuesday could just as well have been spoken by Stoltenberg.
And he also promises continuity in Nato regardless of who becomes the new president in the USA.
I have worked with Donald Trump for four years and I have been in close contact with Kamala Harris. I respect both and I am absolutely convinced that both in this matter (regarding Ukraine) understand what is necessary, says Rutte at his first press conference in Brussels.
14 people have been Secretary-General of Nato since the post was introduced in 1952:
1952-57: Hastings Ismay, United Kingdom
1957-61: Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgium
1961-64: Dirk Stikker, Netherlands
1964-71: Manlio Brosio, Italy
1971-84: Joseph Luns, Netherlands
1984-88: Peter Carrington, United Kingdom
1988-94: Manfred Wörner, Germany
1994-95: Willy Claes, Belgium
1995-99: Javier Solana, Spain
1999-2003: George Robertson, United Kingdom
2004-09: Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Netherlands
2009-14: Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark
2014-24: Jens Stoltenberg, Norway
2024-: Mark Rutte, Netherlands
Source: Nato
