Mark Rutte to Be Appointed Next NATO Chief

NATO will officially appoint outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next head on Wednesday, following the unanimous agreement of ambassadors from all 32 member countries.

Rutte, 57, who received strong support from the United States, will succeed Jens Stoltenberg, whose term ends on October 1.

The only remaining contender, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, withdrew from the race last week.

Rutte will lead the alliance during a critical period marked by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the potential comeback of Donald Trump as U.S. president in the November elections.

Rutte has been the Prime Minister of the Netherlands for nearly 14 years and is set to exit office soon.