This can be a second of fact for Mark Rutte. The previous Dutch prime minister is ready to open, on Tuesday, June 24, his first summit as secretary-general of NATO, a submit he has held since October 1, 2024. When he was first appointed, Rutte’s job description – drafted by former US Democratic President Joe Biden following discussions with the opposite 31 allies – was clear. What was wanted was somebody to deftly handle the following occupant of the White Home, who even at the moment was projected to be Donald Trump – now anticipated in The Hague on Tuesday.
The evaluation of Rutte’s first 9 months can be primarily based totally on the success – or failure – of The Hague summit, in addition to on his capacity to keep away from drama and catastrophe, in keeping with a diplomat inside the group. Regardless of a number of tough moments main as much as the summit, “his standing is pretty good among the many allies,” a supply in Brussels confided.
To this point, Rutte has demonstrated each ability and a sure finesse, sources in Brussels have mentioned. He has retained the private qualities that allowed him to guide the Netherlands for 14 years – an iron fist in a velvet glove – and is a politician who listens and continually seeks compromise, diplomats on the NATO headquarters have additionally confirmed. For France, this has represented an actual change; near Emmanuel Macron, Rutte “doesn’t stay inside the supreme of a world with out France,” which claims a particular place within the alliance, a diplomatic supply pressured, referring to Rutte’s Norwegian predecessor Jens Stoltenberg.
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