The new chief: Ukraine's rightful place is in Nato

The Jens Stoltenberg era is over. Now it's Mark Rutte who leads NATO. My top priority is to keep NATO strong, promises the new Secretary-General.

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The new chief: Ukraine's rightful place is in Nato
Photo: Harry Nakos/AP/TT

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A strong Nato, increased support to Ukraine and strengthened cooperation with others are promised by the Dutchman as he takes over the chairmanship from Norwegian Stoltenberg.

There will be no lasting security in Europe without a strong and independent Ukraine. Ukraine's rightful place is in Nato, Rutte emphasizes in his first appearance as Secretary-General.

For Nato, the change of leadership is a promise of continuity: a middle-aged man and former head of government from a medium-sized country in Western Europe takes over from another middle-aged man and former head of government from a medium-sized country in Western Europe. Rutte's words on Tuesday could just as well have been spoken by Stoltenberg.

And he also promises continuity in Nato regardless of who becomes the new president in the USA.

I have worked with Donald Trump for four years and I have been in close contact with Kamala Harris. I respect both and I am absolutely convinced that both in this matter (regarding Ukraine) understand what is necessary, says Rutte at his first press conference in Brussels.

14 people have been Secretary-General of Nato since the post was introduced in 1952:

1952-57: Hastings Ismay, United Kingdom

1957-61: Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgium

1961-64: Dirk Stikker, Netherlands

1964-71: Manlio Brosio, Italy

1971-84: Joseph Luns, Netherlands

1984-88: Peter Carrington, United Kingdom

1988-94: Manfred Wörner, Germany

1994-95: Willy Claes, Belgium

1995-99: Javier Solana, Spain

1999-2003: George Robertson, United Kingdom

2004-09: Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Netherlands

2009-14: Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark

2014-24: Jens Stoltenberg, Norway

2024-: Mark Rutte, Netherlands

Source: Nato

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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