THE Mark Rutte He was known for his resilience to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. The position of the Secretary General of NATO is associated with unprecedented judgments. International analysts evaluate him on DW.

Considering the duties on October 1, 2024, succeeding Yen Stoltenberg to NATO leadership, Mark Rutte, a former prime minister of the Netherlands for 14 years, knew that he had no room for a smooth transition to his new post. Rutte was considered almost a “natural choice” for this position, because the European allies believed that if Donald Trabean was a US president, he would be the “leader” who could best manage the new relationship between NATO and the US.

In his election campaign, Trump had publicly offered to the “NATO enemy”, Russian President Vladimir Putin, to do “whatever hell he wants” with countries that had not fulfilled their commitment to increased defense spending. In his first term, Trump had thought of withdrawing the US from the alliance.

NATO Secretary General, Lord Heistings Ismei, created three goals, the most important of which was to keep Americans in the alliance and the Russians out. The third goal, to “keep the Germans low”, was eventually reversed, as Berlin was eventually forced to increase the defense budget and operational readiness of the German Armed Forces.

Trump, Greenland and Ukraine

After re-election, Route enthusiastically undertook the mission of renewing US commitment to NATO- though not necessarily with complete transparency. Shortly before Trump’s oath, he asked to meet the elected president in Mar – A – Lago, on a journey that unsuccessfully tried to keep a secret.

At a later meeting last March, and while Trump was now US president, Rutte was criticized for sitting almost silent when the president announced that he would “acquire Greenland”, the world’s largest island and a semi -autonomous province.

Jim Townsend, formerly if. Secretary in charge of European defense and NATO policy, he told DW that the image of Trump and Vice -President Jay Di Vans publicly accuse Ukraine President Volodimir Zelenski in the White House may have prevented Route from Route to say that he was prevented by Route. “You don’t do this unless lives are at stake,” Townsend said. “You go quietly afterwards and correct. So I believe that for Route, if he had intervened there and had tried to say something about it, he would not have had a good time and would make the situation worse. “

Townsend, now a researcher at Center for a New American Security, said Route was probably overwhelmed in his flattering style to Trump. “It is certainly not good to serve so much only one ally,” he said. “You can’t have preferences. But, in this case, the US is a powerful ally. It is important for Rutte to do whatever he needs to keep Trump next to him, active in the alliance so as not to stoning it. “

The challenge of the relationship of the HPA-Europi

US officials had also warned that Trump may not attend the NATO Summit in June in The Hague, the city of Route’s origin, if the alliance did not raise the target for defense spending from 2% of GDP to 5%. Rutte pressed the Member States and, at least one case, used a “creative” wording to balance the numbers.

“His ability to effectively manage internal tensions and political cracks has been proven,” said Rem Cortevig, director of the US program at the Clubendael Institute in The Hague adding:

“European allies must assume more responsibility for their own security. This is now clear. They have been committed to increased defense spending, and the US, in return, have re -committed to defend the Alliance. This is good news. The problem is this: We don’t know how durable it will be. All of this can prove to be short -term successes. Given the pressures facing the alliance, other important and perhaps less urgent issues are now on the sidelines. “

Trump’s response to the Hague session, few could imagine. “I came in Pedi was something I had to do, but I left different,” Trump said on his departure from The Hague. ‘I left by saying that they [οι ηγέτες του ΝΑΤΟ] They really love their countries. It is not cheating. We are here to help them protect their country. “

Report of Rutte’s term of office

Regarding a first account of Mark Rutte’s term, DW asked several foreign policy experts to evaluate Rutte: with “A” as a higher possible rating. The results:

“B -“: Elena Lazarou, Director General of ELIAMEP: “Ensuring the allies’ commitment to increased Hague defense spending was not an easy task. Reinstated the feeling of continuity and credibility for the alliance. I would say that the Secretary General has handled the first 12 months with the proper combination of strategy and diplomacy, despite the occasional mistakes in communication here and there. “

“B”: Jim Townsend, Center for a New American Security: “It’s still too early for him, let’s see if he will reach A in the coming years. His energy and optimistic character are qualified (in the right proportion, at the right time). But the true test awaits him now: How will NATO keep united and how will an aggressive Russia face? “

“B+”: Rem Cortevig, CLingendael Institute: “So far, all good. European allies need time, time to improve their military capabilities and time to gradually take more responsibility for Europe’s security. Rutte has contributed to a non -insignificant degree to keeping Trump happy and giving Europe at such a necessary time. If he needs to flatter the US president temporarily, let’s do it. “

“A”: If Leser, head of the German Marshall Fund office in Brussels: “I would have to evaluate his term with a very, very high degree. He has fulfilled the expectations that existed before his appointment in this area … but not only that. He has also done things in the alliance that was very difficult to do, for example, spending and other issues. And of course, there will be new challenges related to NATO’s rules in the event of NATO airspace violations from Russia and other issues where the alliance’s consensus is completely critical. “

Overall, according to international observers, Mark Rutte’s first year was not bad at NATO helm. The second, of course, will bring even more tests. “Now that the alliance itself is increasingly under threat – from drones, air space violations, hybrid businesses – it remains to be seen whether Route continues to lead NATO effectively, as it is facing greater external pressure,” Cortevig says.