Mark Rutte, the long-serving Dutch prime minister, was formally named the new secretary-general of NATO on Wednesday, putting an experienced, strongly pro-Ukraine leader with a reputation for conciliation at the head of the alliance.
The decision, sealed by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the 32-nation alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, removes a potentially contentious issue from the alliance’s 75th anniversary summit meeting next month in Washington.
President Biden and his NATO counterparts will formally welcome Mr. Rutte to their table at a summit, which begins on July 9.
Long a favorite of Mr. Biden for the post, Mr. Rutte served as the Dutch prime minister four times, for nearly 14 years, building complicated coalitions through debate and compromise.
Those skills should serve him well in an alliance that works by consensus, where one country can block the intentions of the rest.
Persons:
Mark Rutte, Rutte, Jens Stoltenberg, Donald J, Trump, Biden, Long, Mr
Organizations:
NATO, Ukraine
Locations:
Ukraine, Brussels, Washington