Orbán closer to backing Rutte as NATO leader; U.S. ambassador “convinced” a deal is near

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán inched closer to backing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next NATO secretary-general as the result of a meeting between Orbán and the current NATO leader, Jens Stoltenberg. Separately on Wednesday, the NATO Ambassador from the United States, Julianne Smith, said she is "absolutely convinced" that the Western military alliance will reach an agreement on a new secretary-general before the NATO summit in Washington D.C. next month.

In his meeting with Stoltenberg on Wednesday, Orbán was assured that Hungary will not be required to send any troops to Ukraine, or help finance the country's military defense against Russia. Hungary was not obliged to do this, but Orbán wanted to see that emphasized in the clearest possible terms before he could give his support to Rutte as Stoltenberg's successor.

"With this, Hungary has been given the assurances it needs," Orbán said. Stoltenberg said he accepts that Hungary does not want to be part of NATO's support for Ukraine, after the visit in Budapest. NATO countries are obligated to help each other when they are attacked.

Orbán gave his assurance that Hungary would not block any NATO decision that has the support of the other Member States. The country will continue to say when it disagrees with such decisions, but the Hungarian leader also said he realizes that attempts to convince the others will be unsuccessful.

In addition to Hungary, Romania and Slovakia have not yet announced support for Rutte. Romania has its own candidate in the race with President Klaus Iohannis.

Meanwhile, the United States sees "growing momentum" for Rutte's appointment, who remains the obvious favorite for the job. U.S. NATO Ambassador Smith noted that the issue of Stoltenberg's replacement has been "a topic of discussion within NATO for quite some time now." She is confident that she will be able to announce the new NATO chief by the time the summit starts on July 9.

Smith noted that all NATO countries must agree to Rutte's appointment. But "we've reached a point where we're starting to see some momentum." A NATO diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, said they expect Iohannis to soon withdraw his candidacy.

Hungary previously spoke out in favor of Iohannis and imposed two conditions on any support for Rutte. He needs to apologize for his comments about Hungary that were deemed disrespectful, NATO needs to ensure that Hungary does not have to participate in military support for Ukraine.

Hungary has also promised not to oppose the long-term financial aid to Ukraine that NATO wants to decide on at the summit next month, Stoltenberg said. Nor will he advocate for NATO countries to only determine for themselves how they will participate in supporting Ukraine, but rater to accept that coordination and planning may have to happen within the alliance. "This is a way that will work," Stoltenberg thinks.