Official NATO press releases or credible news sources

Mark Rutte Appointed as NATO Secretary General, Succeeding Stoltenberg on June 26

Jun 26, 2024, 08:20 AM

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been officially appointed as the new Secretary General of NATO on June 26, according to a statement from NATO. The appointment, confirmed by NATO ambassadors, will see Rutte succeed Jens Stoltenberg, who steps down later this year. Rutte will begin his tenure on October 1. His candidacy was endorsed by all 32 NATO member states, including Türkiye, Hungary, and Slovakia. Rutte's leadership comes at a critical time as the war in Ukraine continues and uncertainty looms over the United States' future stance on the transatlantic alliance. NATO's outgoing chief, Jens Stoltenberg, praised Rutte as a 'true transatlanticist, strong leader, and consensus-builder.' Under Rutte's government, the Netherlands has been a strong ally to Ukraine, providing significant military aid.