Mark Rutte: Outgoing Dutch PM Urges Europe to Focus on Supporting Ukraine, Not Complaining About Trump

Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, a leading contender for the next NATO secretary-general position, has urged Europe to shift its attention away from lamenting Donald Trump’s policies and to instead concentrate on bolstering support for Ukraine.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rutte addressed the contentious issue of Trump’s stance on NATO, which has caused consternation across Europe.

Donald Trump has previously indicated that if he were re-elected, he would not come to the defence of NATO allies failing to meet their defence spending commitments.

Rutte’s message was clear: “We should stop moaning and whining and nagging about Trump.”

Emphasising that he is not an American and cannot influence U.S. politics, Rutte stressed the need for Europe to collaborate with whichever administration is in power in the United States.

Moreover, Rutte called for increased defence spending in Europe and a boost in ammunition production, highlighting the importance of these measures regardless of the political climate in the U.S.

Central to Rutte’s argument was the imperative for Europe to enhance its support for Ukraine.

He underscored that such support aligns with Europe’s strategic interests, advocating for a proactive approach in addressing the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Despite speculation about his candidacy for NATO secretary-general, Rutte remained non-committal, stating that he was not actively campaigning for the role.

However, he expressed cautious optimism regarding the passage of a U.S. military aid package for Ukraine, following discussions with American politicians at the conference.

The current NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, whose term was extended in the face of ongoing challenges posed by Russia’s actions in Ukraine, is set to step down in October 2024.

Rutte had previously been considered a strong candidate for the role, but he had indicated his unavailability at the time of NATO’s decision to extend Stoltenberg’s tenure.

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Read also: Munich Security Conference 2024: President Zelensky Calls on the World Not to Fear Putin’s Defeat

In a powerful address at the Munich Security Conference on February 17th, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine issued a clarion call to the West, outlining five key steps the international community could take to help Ukraine edge closer to defeating Russia in a full-scale war.

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