The new NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, emphasized the need to support Ukraine and bring it closer to membership in the Alliance. He highlighted that without an independent and strong Ukraine, there will be no reliable security in Europe.
This was stated during a broadcast of the ceremony.
"We must work to ensure our population lives in safety. We will continue to support Ukraine and bring it closer to NATO. Because there will be no reliable security in Europe without a powerful, independent Ukraine. I know this from my own experience. In 2014, the MH-17 plane was shot down near the front line. We must work to ensure that this does not happen again," Rutte stated.
He also stressed the importance of fulfilling the tasks set at the Washington summit to support Ukraine on its irreversible path to NATO.
"We must carry out the tasks set at the Washington summit to help Ukraine on its irreversible path to NATO. Because Ukraine deserves its rightful place," he emphasized.
Rutte is the new NATO Secretary General. On October 1, Jens Stoltenberg officially handed over the duties of NATO Secretary General to the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte.
Rutte is a strong advocate for supporting Ukraine. He played a key role in convincing the U.S. of the necessity of sending F-16s to strengthen Ukraine's defense.
NATO member countries considered several candidates for the position of Secretary General, including British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, but the U.S. did not support his candidacy.
Ultimately, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, was elected as NATO Secretary General. His candidacy was supported by all allies after prolonged negotiations and overcoming disagreements from Hungary, Turkey, and Slovakia.
