cnn
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As the NATO alliance prepares to honor its 75th anniversary at the event’s summit in Washington, it is also gearing up to welcome its first new leader in a decade: former President Donald Trump. An adept man about whom many might have reserved hopes, the coalition came together in the face of many challenging situations, including a possible second Trump presidency.
Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was officially selected as then-NATO Secretary General in late June and will begin the process on October 1. He is taking over from longtime NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, who has led the alliance since 2014. ,
Diplomats and officials who spoke to CNN said Rutte is unknown as a staunch trans-Atlanticist and consensus builder.
“He is a really experienced political officer and this is essential to maintaining the coalition’s cohesion,” an EU official said.
Officials told CNN that Rutte could be tipped as someone who could work with whoever is elected U.S. president, and some expect Rutte’s dating of Trump, when since they had led their respective countries, may prevent the former President from being undermined. alliance if he is re-elected.
The former president publicly opposed the alliance during his first term in office and recently did so again during the campaign, even suggesting Russia should “do whatever they want”. Individuals who do not meet security expenditure objectives. Trump’s stance during the campaign that his commitment to the alliance would be conditional has raised concerns in the global community.
Piet Hoekstra, Trump’s ambassador to the Netherlands, said, “Trump likes people who will back down, especially if they do it in a very respectful way.”
At a meeting where Trump was talking about the “trade deficit”, Hoekstra recalled, Rutte said, “with a smile on his face”, that he definitely wanted to deal with the industry mismatch between the US and the Netherlands. .
“It was a very polite, slightly humorous way of dealing with Trump, and Trump appreciated it,” Hoekstra recalled to CNN. “There was no, ‘You SOB’ or anything like that. It was just, ‘Touche, Rutte, you got me.'”
However, since the former president and Rutte have a “good working relationship … because they really like each other”, it is not cruel that Trump would be prevented from “pursuing his agenda”, Hoekstra said.
The former ambassador argued that “Trump was never against NATO,” although instead “he was against a NATO that Europeans did not support,” referencing the fact that that day many European countries had 2 % was not contributed. To protect their GDP.
An EU diplomat told CNN that Rutte is “definitely not a superhero,” noting that “one can try to please Trump but not fool him, so ultimately that’s what it means for NATO.” What matters is real action and most importantly real money.”
A senior NATO official said “a lot of allies are concerned” about Trump’s chances of re-election, “but the story is positive.” Twenty-four of 32 associates are meeting the 2% spending target; Six people are spending above 3%.
“We’re not there yet, but it’s better than when Trump left,” the reputable CNN reported.
Rutte was not only excited for the post of NATO Secretary General because of his experience with Trump. He was unknown as someone who could enlist the support of all 32 members of the alliance, striking a balance between the more aggressive Japanese Europe and the more reticent Western Europe, partly because of his more “middle ground” in the war. Because of the situation. in Ukraine.
NATO member states will keep an eye on him to protect the alliance’s team spirit as the fight drags on – with minute signs of a convenient guide to a tough diplomatic or military victory for Kiev – as well as to counter China’s ultimatums. Also on issues like increasing guns, manufacturing, and innovation on cyber.
Diplomats and officials who spoke to CNN pointed to Rutte’s tenure as the Netherlands’ longest-serving top minister — a job he left in early July to hold for the next 14 years.
“He has had to manage various coalition governments in a parliamentary democracy in his country, which is certainly no easy task,” said one American official.
A former senior US diplomat described him as “a very good politician (who) understands coalition building and consensus building, which is what it’s all about”.
Rutte was widely considered the front-runner to conquer Stoltenberg in this lifetime, and he was briefly endorsed by the US.
According to US official sources, President Joe Biden had also pushed Rutte to run for the post of secretary general a few days ago after Stoltenberg became unwell, but Rutte indicated that he was not at that time.
Biden likes Rutte personally, they get along well, and the US president sees him as sharing the same values, the official told CNN. Both view the China challenge in a similar way, and Biden was “very impressed by her commitment to supporting Ukraine from the very beginning” and her sharp grasp of the stakes of the war in Ukraine.
“Rutte has long been the most realistic among European leaders about who Putin really is,” the official said.
