Mark Rutte takes helm at NATO amidst growing challenges to transatlantic unity

Mark Rutte, the amiable and detail-oriented former Dutch prime minister, faces a significant challenge in maintaining the defense alliance as a prominent global entity.

Just a few years ago, NATO faced criticism from Donald Trump and was described as “brain dead” by French President Emmanuel Macron. However, following its expansion to counter the Russian threat, the responsibility of maintaining the Cold War alliance as a significant geopolitical force now rests with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Affable in public but meticulous behind the scenes, the former prime minister of the Netherlands becomes secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on October 1 as the 32-nation defense pact enters a pivotal period.

If Donald Trump wins the upcoming US election in November, doubts surrounding transatlantic support could emerge, threatening the very existence of the NATO alliance established in 1949. This situation would further destabilise Europe’s security landscape as the war in Ukraine enters its third year, with Kyiv relying heavily on consistent military and financial assistance for its defence.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will face pressure from various members to prioritise counter-terrorism efforts and reinforce NATO’s southern flank while ensuring that defence spending remains sufficient to maintain a credible deterrent, especially with tight budgets in countries like Germany. This is a significant shift from 2014 when Rutte’s predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg, was advised by his father to expect “boring years” leading the Brussels-based organisation.

Rutte, known for his people skills, has demonstrated his ability to navigate challenging situations during nearly 14 years at the helm of the Dutch government, building a robust network in the process. Camille Grand, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations and former senior NATO official, noted,

“He knows the EU and all its leaders by heart. And he has dealt with Trump. Politically, he will hit the ground running.”

His experience managing Trump could prove invaluable. Before their first meeting in 2018, Rutte aimed to establish a relationship while maintaining his principles, rehearsing his handshake and studying Trump’s tendencies to put people on the spot. This preparation allowed Rutte to avoid public humiliation and maintain a positive working relationship with Trump, in stark contrast to many other European leaders.

A notable encounter occurred during a tense summit in 2018, where Trump threatened to withdraw from NATO unless European nations increased military spending. Rutte defused the situation by claiming European allies were indeed stepping up their contributions, attributing this to Trump’s pressure. Although the reality was debatable, this approach shifted the mood and allowed the US president to depart feeling vindicated.

Since that time, Rutte has continued to align with Trump’s views on Europe’s defence spending, stating in a Bloomberg TV interview that Trump was justified in his complaints about the shortfall. Regarding a potential second term for Trump, he remarked,

“We have to dance with whoever is on the dance floor.”

He reiterated this pragmatic stance at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, urging Europeans to “stop moaning and whining” about the prospect of a Trump return.

However, Rutte's rapport with Trump may shift, particularly as he owes his position largely to Joe Biden, who had urged Rutte to take the NATO leadership role on multiple occasions. One such opportunity arose in 2022, which Rutte declined to maintain his role in the Netherlands. Yet, following the collapse of his coalition a year later, the possibility resurfaced.

Ukraine could present a more complex issue, as Trump has been openly critical of aid to the country, while Rutte is a firm supporter. This commitment is deeply personal for him, stemming from the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 Dutch citizens and has been attributed to Russian actions.

Rutte stated earlier this year,

“There has never been anything bigger and this will always remain number one by far in the 14 years that I have been doing this job.”

During a contentious NATO summit in 2018, Rutte deftly diffused tension by suggesting that European allies were increasing defence spending due to Trump’s insistence, a claim that, while debatable, helped foster a more positive atmosphere. He has continued to assert that Trump’s critiques of Europe’s defence contributions were justified.

By Aghakazim Guliyev