Rutte takes office as NATO Secretary General

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 headquarters, the pair headed to a meeting with bloc ambassadors at the North Atlantic Council for Rutte’s official appointment.

The outgoing secretary-general said that the group was in “safe hands” with his successor.

Rutte thanked NATO allies for trusting him with the role. “It is a big job, and I have big shoes to fill,” he said.

In his first press conference as secretary-general, Rutte called on allies to “significantly increase defense spending” in order to meet NATO’s challenges.

An end to the conflict in Ukraine “is vital for peace and security in Europe,” he said, adding the cost of Russian President Vladimir Putin getting his way would be far more expensive than aid to Kyiv.

He also called for the alliance to “enhance cooperation with our Indo-Pacific partners,” citing the role of China in supporting Putin and as a destabilizing force around the world.

(With inputs from Deutsche Welle)