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…
‘‘It’s a mistake’’: Zelenskyy says he can ‘‘forget’’ Biden’s Putin mix-up
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has played down US President Joe Biden’s recent gaffe at a NATO summit where he introduced the Ukrainian leader as Russian “President Putin”, saying it was a “mistake” that could now be forgotten. “It’s a mistake. I think…
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…
Sweden officially becomes 32nd member of NATO in Washington ceremony
Sweden on Thursday officially became the 32nd member of NATO after a nearly two-year delay and a longstanding policy of nonalignment. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson delivered the NATO Instrument of Accession to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington,…
NATO launches historic Nordic response drill in Finland, Norway and Sweden
NATO kicked off an exercise on Monday to defend its newly expanded Nordic territory when more than 20,000 soldiers from 13 nations take part in drills lasting nearly two weeks in the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden. With…
Zelenskyy seeks support, arms at Albania summit of Balkan nations
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has tried to drum up Balkan support for his vision of peace in Ukraine and has promoted the idea of joint arms production at a two-day summit of Southeast European countries. The meeting was held in the…
Hungary’s parliament clears path for Sweden’s Nato membership
Sweden has cleared its final obstacle to joining Nato after Hungary’s parliament voted to ratify the bid. The Nordic nation applied to join the defence alliance after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Every member must approve a new…
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…
UK army chief says citizens should be ready to fight in possible land war
U.K. civilians should be ready to fight in a hypothetical land war, the head of the British army, Gen. Patrick Sanders, said Wednesday, warning that the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine showed it was “citizen armies” that make the difference…
Nato summit: Allies refuse to give Ukraine timeframe on joining
Nato states have said Ukraine can join the military alliance “when allies agree and conditions are met” after President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the “absurd” delay to accession. In a communique, Nato said it recognised the need to move faster but…