By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BUCHAREST/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Romania was expected Wednesday to support longtime Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who became the next secretary general of the NATO military alliance after Hungary dropped its objections and Slovakia’s president signaled his country’s support.
In a turnaround, the Hungarian Prime Minister confirmed previous Worthy News reporting that “Hungary is ready to support Prime Minister Rutte’s bid for Nato secretary general.”
Orbán published a letter of reassurance he had received from the Dutch leader, which included Rutte’s pledge that Hungary wouldn’t be forced to provide military assistance to Ukraine in its war against invading Russia.
Rutte wrote to Orbán, who maintains close ties to Russia: “I am aware of the outcome of talks between Jens Stoltenberg [the current secretary-general] and you regarding NATO’s support for Ukraine. I understand that you stressed that no Hungarian personnel would take part in these activities and no Hungarian funds would be used to support them.”
The Dutch leader, 57, added that he would respect the commitment given to Hungary, writing, “In a possible future capacity as Nato secretary general, I will fully support this outcome of the talks” and added: “I look forward to our future engagement – whatever that might be.”
Rutte also told Orbán that he realized that his past grievances about Hungary’s rule-of-law situation and LGBTQ policies had led to dissatisfaction in society. While he did not apologize as Orbán demanded, Rutte proposed they look toward the future.
IMAGINING RUTTE
Neighboring Slovakia, another NATO member whose government is seen as sympathetic to Russia, also said it was willing to support Rutte on Tuesday.
In a briefing, Peter Pellegrini, the country’s president, said: “The Slovak republic can imagine supporting the Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte as the head of the alliance.”
The transatlantic military alliance is seeking consensus among its 32 members for someone to succeed Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg as secretary-general when he steps down in October.
Speaking at a news conference in Washington, Stoltenberg said Orban’s announcement made it “obvious that we are very close to a conclusion in the alliance. I think that’s good news. I think that Mark Rutte is a solid candidate.”
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis sought the NATO leadership job for himself, saying it was time for leaders from Eastern Europe to take over.
However, with Orbán supporting Rutte, Iohannis was expected to agree with the candidate shortly.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest Stories from Worthy News
Israel’s military said a strike on a suburb of Lebanon’s capital killed Ibrahim Aqil, a prominent Hezbollah leader.
A summit was underway in New York this weekend that critics say will give the United Nations even more powers to create a new world order through a Pact for the Future.
Well-informed investigators say over 70,000 Russian soldiers have been confirmed killed in Ukraine since the Kremlin launched its invasion more than two and a half years ago. The news came amid reports of more fighting and attempts by the Ukrainian president to meet his U.S. counterpart and the presidential candidates.
Indian Christian leaders are skeptical about the federal government’s “road map” for peace in India’s conflict-torn Manipur state, where scores of Christians were killed and hundreds of churches and other properties were destroyed.
A massive barrage of Israeli airstrikes hit Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon just after the terrorist group’s leader declared that two days of intense hybrid bombings, including the detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies targeting Hezbollah forces, amounted to a declaration of war.