BRUSSELS — The North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) new chief Mark Rutte on Tuesday downplayed fears over the impact of a potential victory by Donald Trump in next month's United States elections and pledged to keep backing Ukraine, as he assumed leadership of the world's most powerful military alliance.
The former Dutch prime minister steps into the role at a pivotal moment, as Russia presses its war in Ukraine, China flexes its growing might and Americans prepare to head to the polls five weeks from now.
HAND IN HAND Outgoing North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (left) shakes hands with his successor Mark Rutte during a handover ceremony at NATO headquarters in Belgium’s capital Brussels on Oct. 1, 2024. AFP PHOTO