Rutte stresses Ukraine defence, Russian threats on first day as NATO leader
Last update 11:15 a.m.
Mark Rutte has officially taken over as the Secretary General of NATO. Former NATO leader Jens Stoltenberg handed over the gavel to him at the NATO head office in Brussels on Tuesday morning. In his first speech as NATO leader, Rutte stressed the importance of stepping up support for Ukraine against Russia for security in Europe.
Rutte said he had three priorities as NATO Secretary General. The first is to keep NATO strong and ensure its defenses remain effective and credible against all threats. That will require more investments in more troops and innovations, he said. “Because to do more, we need to spend more.”
His second priority is to step up support for Ukraine and help the country come closer to NATO membership. “There can be no lasting security in Europe without a strong, independent Ukraine,” Rutte said, referring to the MH17 disaster and how that showed that conflict in Ukraine does not remain limited to the front lines.
Thirdly, Rutte plans to strengthen NATO’s partnerships. “With our unique and essential the European Union and with countries around the world that share our interests and values,” Rutte said. “In a global and interconnected world, our security has to be a team effort.”
Rutte’s first words as NATO leader were thanking the allied nations for trusting him with this responsibility. “It is a big job, and I have big shoes to fill,” the former Dutch Prime Minister said at his first NATO meeting as Secretary General.
“I have every intention of keeping up the good work you have initiated in recent years, and I am determined to prepare NATO for the challenges of the future,” Rutte said, stressing the importance of the alliance for the safety of the over 1 billion people it covers.
