Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister, appointed as NATO’s new leader.

NATO appointed Mark Rutte, the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister, as its next leader on Wednesday amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and uncertainty about US support for the alliance. 

Rutte’s appointment was assured after his sole competitor, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, withdrew from the race last week. 

Rutte will take over from Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg, who has served in the role for a decade, starting October 1.

The decision was made by ambassadors from NATO’s 32 member countries during a meeting at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. 

Rutte had garnered early support from key NATO members such as the United States, Britain, France, and Germany after expressing his candidacy last year. He expressed eagerness to assume the position, emphasizing NATO’s crucial role in collective security and pledging to take on the responsibility seriously.

Although some candidates from Eastern European nations argued for regional representation, they ultimately endorsed Rutte, known for his critical stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Stoltenberg welcomed Rutte’s selection, confident that he would be a capable successor.

Rutte’s confirmation requires unanimous support from all 32 alliance members, who will look to him to navigate challenges such as supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression while avoiding direct involvement in the conflict and preparing for potential shifts in US policy post-election, including the possibility of a return of NATO-skeptical figures like Donald Trump.