THE american president, Joe Biden pushes for EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to be next NATO chief after the exclusion of the candidacy of the British Minister of Defence, Ben Wallace, according to Daily Mail report citing the Telegraph.

A NATO source told the Telegraph that Mr. Biden is trying to convince Mrs. von der Leyenformer German Defense Minister, to succeed Stoltenberg.

According to another source in the Telegraph, Mr. Biden and Mrs. von der Leyen have created “a strong bond” in recent years, strengthening close transatlantic ties on China, Ukraine and the climate.

Ms von der Leyen visited the White House in March, when the US and EU announced the start of negotiations on a crucial minerals deal. He was also heavily involved in talks with Rishi Sunak on the issue of finalizing the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland.

Also, the French president, Emmanuel Macron is said to have been adamant that the next Secretary General should come from an EU state and not Britain. There was also pressure for the candidate to be a former chief minister and not a low-ranking minister.

The term of the current Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, was extended for one year after the allies failed to agree on a successor.

According to the publication, the delay is believed to be partly because Mr Biden wants Kauf von der Leyen for the post and her EU term ends next year.

The Secretary of Defense, Mr. Wallace, one of the favorites he recently acknowledged that his appointment to the position is rather unlikely and despite Rishi Sunak lobbying the US President on a trip to Washington last month.