After ten years of service as the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg is set to step down on October 1st. He will be succeeded by Mark Rutte of the Netherlands. In a heartfelt farewell speech on Thursday, Stoltenberg emphasized the growing closeness between NATO and Ukraine, stating that “Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before.”
During his time as Secretary General, Stoltenberg has been a strong advocate for NATO’s unity and commitment to collective defense. He has led the alliance through a period of significant challenges, including tensions with Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Under his leadership, NATO has continued to strengthen its partnership with Ukraine, providing support and assistance to the country as it seeks to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Stoltenberg’s tenure has also been marked by efforts to modernize and adapt NATO to meet evolving security threats, such as cyber attacks and terrorism. He has worked to increase defense spending among member countries and enhance NATO’s capabilities in areas such as intelligence sharing and military readiness.
As he prepares to hand over the reins to Mark Rutte, Stoltenberg expressed confidence in NATO’s future and the alliance’s ability to overcome any challenges that may arise. He thanked NATO members for their support and cooperation during his tenure, and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Secretary General.
Rutte, who will take over as Secretary General on October 1st, will inherit a complex and rapidly changing global security environment. It will be his responsibility to continue steering NATO towards its goal of maintaining peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. With his experience and leadership, Rutte is expected to build on the progress made under Stoltenberg’s guidance and ensure that NATO remains a strong and united force for years to come.
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