The Telegraph UK backs ‘Trump whisperer’ Mark Rutte as Nato secretary-general Dutch prime minister seen as the perfect choice to steer alliance through threats posed by Moscow ... and Washington Joe Barnes, BRUSSELS CORRESPONDENT 22 February 2024 • 1:31pm

 The Telegraph

UK backs ‘Trump whisperer’ Mark Rutte as Nato secretary-general

Dutch prime minister seen as the perfect choice to steer alliance through threats posed by Moscow ... and Washington

Joe Barnes,

 BRUSSELS CORRESPONDENT

22 February 2024 • 1:31pm

Related Topics

Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), Netherlands, Donald Trump, Russia-Ukraine war, European Union

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Mark Rutte talks to Netherlands soldiers serving in Lithuania

Mark Rutte has Britain's backing to steer Nato through the threats posed by Donald Trump and Russia as the next secretary-general. CREDIT: PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP via Getty Images

Britain has backed Mark Rutte to steer Nato through the threats posed by Donald Trump and Russia as the military alliance’s next secretary-general.

The Dutch prime minister has “serious defence and security credentials” to lead the transatlantic organisation, a UK official announced on Thursday.

With the United States and Germany also backing his candidacy, Mr Rutte could be named as successor to Jens Stoltenberg, who has held the role since 2014, as early as Apr 4, when Nato marks its 75th anniversary at a meeting in Brussels.

“The UK strongly backs Dutch PM Mark Rutte to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as Nato secretary-general,” the official said.

“Rutte is well-respected across the Alliance, has serious defence and security credentials, and will ensure that the Alliance remains strong and ready to defend and deter.”

The Dutch statesman, who has led his country for more than 13 years, recently emerged as a front-runner for the role as Nato’s leaders sought a counterpart capable of guiding the alliance through a new era of turbulence.

Alarm bells ringing

During his time in office, Mr Rutte earned the reputation as a “Trump whisperer”, a title also afforded to Mr Stoltenberg, for his handling of the former US president.

Mr Trump recently set alarm bells ringing across Europe when he said on the campaign trail that Moscow could do “whatever the hell they want” with Nato members that fail to meet the alliance’s defence spending targets of two per cent of GDP.

It sparked fears that the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next US leader could abandon Nato’s mutual defence commitment during his next four-year term.

Mr Rutte, who first publicly declared his interest in the Nato role in November, is recognised as someone who is capable of challenging Mr Trump’s damaging narrative, after having previously publicly contradicted him in a EU-US trade dispute.

His ability to defy populist challenges and maintain power over such a long period led to the Dutch prime minister earning the nickname “Teflon Mark”.

He is also known for not talking down nationalist voters, as some of his more liberal European colleagues have done to those backing Mr Trump and Brexit.

In 2019, Mr Rutte condemned a “white wine-sipping elite” for criticising Mr Trump’s attacks on international organisations, such as Nato, the EU and WTO.

Nato leaders have dropped a pledge to hire a woman as secretary-general in a bid to bring in the Dutchman.

‘Flattery and a firm hand’

His appointment is seen as part of a three-pronged plan to “Trump proof” the alliance ahead of November’s US presidential elections.

Allies will also push to ensure more than 18 of the 31 member states commit to spending two per cent of GDP on defence and agree to place more emphasis on US foreign policy priorities, such as China and the Middle East.

“How do you manage a future Trump presidency? It’s basically a combination of flattery and a firm hand,” a source said.

“Mr Rutte and Jens Stoltenberg have shown they’re capable of that.”

The Telegraph understands that more than 20 allies have publicly or privately voiced support for the Dutchman to succeed Mr Stoltenberg.

Hungary and Turkey have been named as potential blockages to the appointment, but their opposition is not seen as insurmountable.

Ankara is said to have demanded assurances that Mr Rutte will not prioritise demands from EU countries if he is handed the job, while Budapest wants an apology over the Dutch prime minister’s criticism of its alleged erosion of democracy.

There is no formal process for appointing the next Nato secretary, with talks expected to continue until there is a “consensus”.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace previously pulled out of the race after failing to secure the backing of the US and France.

Germany recently opposed Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, from taking the role because she is seen as too combative towards Vladimir Putin.