Nato chief dismisses fears over Trump win

Published October 2, 2024
NATO’s new Secretary General Mark Rutte (L) listens to outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (R), addressing media during a handover ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels on October 1, 2024. — AFP
NATO’s new Secretary General Mark Rutte (L) listens to outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (R), addressing media during a handover ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels on October 1, 2024. — AFP

BRUSSELS: New Nato chief Mark Rutte on Tuesday downplayed fears over a potential Donald Trump victory in the US presidential election and pledged to keep backing Ukraine, as he assumed leadership of the world’s most powerful military alliance.

The former Dutch prime minister steps into the role at a pivotal moment, as Russia presses its war in Ukraine, China flexes its growing might — and just weeks before US voters choose a new leader. “I’m determined to prepare Nato for the challenges of the future,” Rutte said as he formally took over as secretary general from Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg at Nato’s Brussels headquarters.

The outcome of the Nov 5 US vote is set to be the straight-talking 57-year-old’s first major test — and will shape his initial four-year term.

On the campaign trail, former president Trump has threatened not to protect Nato members who do not spend enough on defence and promised a quick deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end to the war in Ukraine.

“I’m not worried. I know both candidates very well. I worked for four years with Donald Trump. He was the one pushing us to spend more, and he achieved,” Rutte said. “I will be able to work with both, whatever is the outcome of the elections.”

In opting for the veteran Dutch statesman, a staunch US ally and stalwart backer of Ukraine, Nato’s 32 nations have picked a leader who will keep pushing support for Kyiv and efforts to bolster the alliance’s own defences against Russia.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Rushed legislation
Updated 06 Nov, 2024

Rushed legislation

For all its stress on "supremacy of parliament", the ruling coalition has wasted no opportunity to reiterate where its allegiances truly lie.
Jail reform policy
06 Nov, 2024

Jail reform policy

THE state is making a fresh attempt to improve conditions in Pakistan’s penitentiaries by developing a national...
BISP overhaul
06 Nov, 2024

BISP overhaul

IT has emerged that the spouses of over 28,500 Sindh government employees have been illicitly benefiting from BISP....
Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....