Brussels, 21 June 2024 – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, previously considered a front-runner for the NATO leadership position, has officially withdrawn his candidacy and expressed support for Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next head of the NATO alliance. This information was reported by the UK news agency Reuters on Thursday (June 20).

President Iohannis's decision to back Mark Rutte significantly eases the Dutch Prime Minister's path to becoming the next NATO chief. Romania's Supreme Defense Council has also thrown its weight behind Rutte, further solidifying his candidacy.

In a notable move, Romania's Supreme Defense Council has decided to transfer one of the country's two operational Patriot missile systems to Ukraine. This transfer comes with the stipulation that Ukraine's air defense capabilities will be bolstered through further negotiations with NATO allies, ensuring the defense system remains effective.

If elected, Mark Rutte will lead the Trans-Atlantic alliance for the next four years. His primary responsibilities will include managing Russian aggression and maintaining US support for NATO operations, particularly in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Mark Rutte has had to overcome opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has been reluctant to support Ukraine. However, with the United States firmly backing Ukraine since the outset of the Russia-Ukraine war, Rutte's position appears unchallenged in the race to lead NATO.

With Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stepping aside and endorsing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the latter's bid for NATO leadership has gained considerable momentum. As NATO prepares for new challenges, Rutte’s leadership is poised to play a crucial role in navigating the alliance through a period marked by geopolitical tensions and military strategy realignments.