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Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte officially assumed the role of NATO Secretary General on October 1, 2024, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg, who served a remarkable decade in the role.

During a special session of the North Atlantic Council, Stoltenberg formally handed over the leadership to Rutte, who expressed his gratitude to NATO allies for entrusting him with this significant responsibility. “It is a great honor to be here and to take up the position of NATO Secretary General,” Rutte stated, highlighting the weight of his new role.

The transition ceremony was held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, where Rutte was warmly welcomed by Stoltenberg. The two leaders honored fallen soldiers with a wreath-laying ceremony at the NATO Memorial.

In his inaugural address, Secretary General Rutte laid out three core priorities for NATO. The first is to “keep NATO strong and ensure our defenses remain effective and credible, against all threats.” His second priority focuses on intensifying support for Ukraine and fostering closer ties with the country, asserting that “there can be no lasting security in Europe without a strong, independent Ukraine.” Lastly, Rutte aims to “strengthen our partnerships” in an increasingly interconnected world.

Today, Mark Rutte took office as NATO Secretary General.

Mr Rutte outlined his three priorities for NATO, paid tribute to his predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg, and thanked Allies for entrusting him with the responsibility of guiding the Alliance in the coming years ↓

— NATO (@NATO) October 1, 2024

Rutte also commended Stoltenberg’s decade-long leadership, describing his tenure as “exemplary.” He acknowledged that under Stoltenberg’s guidance, NATO has grown stronger and more united than ever. “Today NATO is bigger, NATO is stronger and is more united than ever, that is in large part because of your leadership,” Rutte remarked, paying tribute to his predecessor’s impactful service.

Stoltenberg, in his farewell address, lauded Rutte’s pragmatic approach and consensus-building skills. He emphasized that Rutte embodies a commitment to the alliance’s values and principles, noting his “unwavering support for Ukraine”.

Continued support for Ukraine

The handover was ceremonially marked by the passing of a historic gavel, symbolizing the transition of authority. This moment comes at a critical juncture for NATO, as the alliance faces heightened tensions with Russia, particularly concerning the situation in Ukraine, which approaches a third winter of conflict.

Rutte reiterated the importance of supporting Ukraine, framing it as an investment in Europe’s security. “Supporting Ukraine is the right thing to do, and it is also an investment in our own security,” he emphasized, underscoring that allowing Russia to succeed could have far-reaching consequences for the region.

Furthermore, Rutte called for NATO allies to significantly increase defense spending to effectively meet contemporary security challenges. He acknowledged past shortcomings in reaching NATO’s defense expenditure target of 2% of GDP, a goal that the Netherlands is on track to achieve this year.

“Teflon Mark”

57-year-old Rutte, who had been the Dutch Prime Minister since 2010, resigned in July after his four-party coalition government collapsed over disagreements on migration policy. Known as “Teflon Mark” for his ability to navigate political scandals unscathed, Rutte is the longest-serving Prime Minister in the Netherlands. His extensive experience in governance will be crucial as he takes on the leadership of NATO amid a turbulent geopolitical landscape.

Throughout his tenure as Prime Minister, Rutte has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. This support was a key factor in his pursuit of the NATO role. Earlier this month, he attended a summit in Switzerland, where he reiterated the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting Ukraine “for as long as it takes and with all the backing that is necessary.”