Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has officially become the secretary-general of NATO after a handover ceremony in Brussels. He takes over from Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, who has led the alliance since 2014. Following a symbolic handshake and wreath-laying at…
NATO picks Dutch PM Mark Rutte as next chief, as alliance faces perilous times
NATO’s 32 nations on Wednesday appointed outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the alliance’s next head, handing him the job at a crucial moment with Russia on the march in Ukraine and American elections looming. Rutte will take over…
Dutch PM Mark Rutte poised to become next NATO secretary general
Mark Rutte, a staunch ally of Ukraine and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is set to become NATO’s next secretary general, building on a career as a political dealmaker from his 14 years as Dutch prime minister.…
US, UK and Germany endorse Dutch PM Mark Rutte as next Nato chief
The US, UK and Germany have endorsed the candidacy of the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, to become the next secretary general of Nato, at a time when the alliance faces major challenges amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and renewed questions…
NATO extends Stoltenberg mandate for 1 more year
NATO’s 31 member states decided to prolong the mandate of Jens Stoltenberg as its General Secretary with one year until 1 October 2024. He has led the organisation for ten years. Stoltenberg was appointed NATO General Secretary shortly after Russia’s…
NATO chief urges Turkey not to veto Sweden joining alliance
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has urged Turkey not to veto Sweden’s bid to join the military alliance, ahead of a meeting this month to try to overcome objections delaying Stockholm’s membership. “Membership will make Sweden safer but also make NATO…
Ukraine in Nato: Orban casts doubt on long-term membership plan
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has cast doubt on Ukraine’s long-held aspiration to join Nato. His intervention came after the bloc’s boss, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Friday that “all Nato allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a Nato member”.…
Finland joins NATO as Russia’s war rages on in Ukraine
Finland has joined NATO in a historic shift triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto completed the accession process by handing over an official document to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at NATO headquarters in…
Turkey approves Finland Nato membership bid
Finland will become the 31st member of Nato after Turkey’s parliament voted to approve its application. Turkey had delayed Finland’s bid to join the West’s defensive alliance for months – complaining the Nordic nation was supporting “terrorists”. Sweden, which applied…
NATO adding troops in Eastern Europe after Russia attack on Ukraine
NATO on Thursday said it would take steps to boost deterrence and defense after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in Ukraine. The military alliance is putting over 100 warplanes on high alert and increasing its presence in…