New NATO Chief Rutte Pledges Continued Support for Ukraine
Following the 10-year term of Norway's Jens Stoltenberg, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte became NATO's 14th Secretary-General on Tuesday, pledging continued support for Ukraine against Russia and a potential 'future NATO membership' for Ukraine....
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Facts
- Following the 10-year term of Norway's Jens Stoltenberg, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte became NATO's 14th Secretary-General on Tuesday, pledging continued support for Ukraine against Russia and a potential 'future NATO membership' for Ukraine.[1][2]
- Besides ensuring a 'sovereign, independent, democratic' Ukraine, as well as defending 'our people, our nations, and...our values,' Rutte said he would work to grow NATO's relationships with the EU and other nations with shared values.[3]
- Rutte claimed that while Russia is 'making some limited gains,' backing Ukraine is 'the right thing to do' and 'an investment in our own security.' He also pledged to pressure China to stop what he alleged to be aiding Russia's war effort.[4]
- Citing the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which had departed from Amsterdam before Russia-linked forces are believed to have shot it down, Rutte said, 'The conflict in Ukraine is not contained to the front lines.'[4]
- Regarding how he would deal with the next US president — especially regarding Donald Trump, who recently told Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky that he wants the war to end — Rutte said he's not concerned and would be able to work with either Trump or Kamala Harris[3][1]
- This comes after the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said the help of the US and EU played a 'crucial role' in the war, without which 'Ukraine would have to surrender.'[3]
Sources: [1]Reuters, [2]TASS, [3]Almayadeen and [4]Wsj.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Guardian and New York Times. Mark Rutte couldn't have taken the helm at a more important time. While Kyiv needs NATO to provide more ammunition to stave off recent Russian gains, the entire 32-member bloc needs to invest more financially for its own security purposes. Hopefully Rutte, with his successful history of leading the Netherlands, security conferences, and negotiating with Donald Trump, will strengthen the West more than ever before.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Bignewsnetwork and Grayzone. Mark Rutte represents everything that's wrong with the Western establishment. While the media portray him as a strong statesman willing to do what it takes to defend Ukraine, in reality, he has hawkish views and wants to allow Kyiv to use Western weapons deep inside Russia—a clear provocation aimed at widening the conflict. It's no wonder he mentioned the Malaysian airline flight, which is arguably another piece of propaganda aimed at demonizing Russia.
