By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-10-01 09:14:49 | Updated at 2024-10-01 11:30:44
2 hours ago
Nato’s new chief Mark Rutte on Tuesday played down fears over the impact of a potential Donald Trump victory in upcoming US elections 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 and China flexes its growing might – and just weeks before voters in the United States head to the polls.
Rutte on Tuesday took over the alliance from Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, who has guided Nato through one of its most tumultuous decades.
The outcome of the November 5 vote is set to be the straight-talking 57-year-old’s first major test – and will shape his initial four-year term at the helm.
On the campaign trail, former president Trump has threatened not to protect Nato members who do not spend enough on defence and promised he can cut a quick deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
