Zelenskyy congratulates Dutch PM on being appointed NATO Secretary General
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, on the decision of NATO allies to appoint him as the next Secretary General of the Alliance.
Zelenskyy said that when Rutte assumes this position in October from Jens Stoltenberg, "we anticipate our joint work to ensure the protection of people and freedom throughout our entire Euro-Atlantic community."
"I know Mark Rutte as a principled and strong leader, who has demonstrated his decisiveness and vision on many occasions over the past years," Zelenskyy said on Х (Twitter).
Вітаю Марка Рютте з рішенням союзників призначити його наступним Генеральним секретарем НАТО.
Коли в жовтні пан Рютте перебере цю посаду від Єнса Столтенберга, ми розраховуємо на продовження нашої спільної роботи із забезпечення захисту людей і свободи в усій нашій…Advertisement:– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 26, 2024
He also thanked the incumbent Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for his significant contribution to strengthening NATO during his tenure over the past ten years, as well as for his unwavering support for Ukraine's struggle for freedom.
On 26 June, the North Atlantic Council decided to appoint Rutte as the next NATO Secretary General. Rutte will assume his duties on 1 October, when the mandate of the current Secretary General Stoltenberg ends.
Rutte commented on his appointment, stating that the Alliance is and will remain a cornerstone of collective security.