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NATO's 32 nations on Wednesday (June 26) appointed outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the alliance's new supremo.
The development comes at a crucial time when Russia's war against Ukraine is intensifying and the elections in the United States are approaching.

"The North Atlantic Council decided to appoint Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next Secretary General of NATO, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg," the alliance said in a statement, adding that he would take over on October 1.

Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, who is stepping down from the post after almost a decade, said that Rutte was a "true transatlanticist" and a "consensus-builder".

mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader and a consensus-builder

"I know I am leaving NATO in good hands," he said.

Rutte said it was a "tremendous honour" to take over from Stoltenberg.

"The alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security. Leading this organisation is a responsibility I do not take lightly," he posted on his official X account.

Biden believes Rutte will make excellent NATO leader: White House

United States welcomed Rutte's appointment stating that President Joe Biden believed that the Dutch PM would make "excellent" efforts to support Ukraine.

"President Biden strongly believes that Mark Rutte will make an excellent secretary general," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday.

Other leaders who backed the decision were British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called Rutte's appointment "a good choice for freedom and security".

Ukraine hails 'principled and strong' Rutte

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Rutte calling him a "principled and strong leader".

"I know Mark Rutte as a principled and strong leader, who has demonstrated his decisiveness and vision on many occasions over the past years," Zelensky said in a post on social media.

'Rutte as NATO chief won't change anything,' says Kremlin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Rutte calling him a "principled and strong leader"

'Rutte as NATO chief won't change anything,' says Kremlin

Meanwhile, Russia said that Rutte's appointment as NATO chief would not "change anything" for Moscow.