By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The new Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte on Tuesday officially assumed office where he also made his first address, promising to shore up Western support for the war-ravaged Ukraine.
“There can be no lasting security in Europe without a strong, independent Ukraine,” he said, reaffirming a commitment made by the leaders of the organization in 2008 that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO.”
Rutte also expressed readiness to work with whoever is elected the new President of the United States, the alliance’s most powerful member, in the election next month.
Speaking further few hours after his predecessor Jens Stoltenberg handed the reins to him, along with a Viking gavel with which to chair future meetings, the new NATO chief said, “The cost of supporting Ukraine is far, far lower than the cost we would face if we allow Putin to get his way”, referring to the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin who forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine is still a prospect member of NATO. Several member countries, led by the U.S. and Germany, believe that Ukraine should not join the organization while it’s fighting a war.
Rutte also advised Beijing to desist from fuelling what he called largest conflict in the European soil. “China has become a decisive enabler of Russia’s war in Ukraine. China cannot continue to fuel the largest conflict in Europe since the Second World War without this impacting its interests and reputation.”
Rutte praised the Republican presidential candidate in the US election, Donald Trump for pushing NATO allies to spend more and for toughening their approach toward China.
He also hailed the “fantastic record” of Vice President Kamala Harris and described her as “a highly respected leader.”
“I will be able to work with both. Whatever is the outcome of the election,” Rutte said. When pressed about Trump’s commitment to the other allies, he deflected, saying only that both candidates “understand that, in the end, the trans-Atlantic relationship is crucial, not just for Europe.”
Stoltenberg, NATO’s 13th Secretary-General, took over in 2014. Apart from Dutch diplomat Joseph Luns, who spent 12 years in charge of NATO, he is the longest serving leader of the organization.
NATO Secretaries-General run the HQ, drive the alliance’s working agenda and speak on behalf of the 32-nation organization with one unifying voice.
