The dispute between Rutte and Orban prevents Rutte from running for NATO

Before a unanimous decision is made that Mark Rutte will become NATO's new Secretary General, “it is necessary to end the personal dispute between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Rutte,” says European correspondent Geert-Jan Hahn.

Orban has repeatedly expressed his objection to the appointment of Mark Rutte as the new Secretary General of NATO. Tensions escalated yesterday when Peter Szijjártó, the Hungarian Foreign Minister, said that Hungary would not support Rutte. Instead, they see Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania, as the ideal candidate.

Slovakia has also not yet taken a position on the issue. Some Eastern European countries, especially Hungary, appear to have a different agenda and are turning against Rutte. European correspondent Geert Jan Hahn says that Rutte can do little but accept the situation. He added, “It seems that Slovakia is trying to buy time due to political instability after the recent attack on the Prime Minister.” The fact that Szijjarto has repeatedly declared that he has no interest in Rutte, without Orbán himself taking a stand, is “striking,” Hahn says.

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The Eastern European countries that stand in their way may aspire to obtain an influential position within the new European Commission or an important position within NATO. They also want to strengthen the alliance's eastern flank. Slovakia is currently pressuring Rutte for more military support. “Ending the personal dispute between Orban and Ruta is also important for good cooperation,” Hahn said.

The new Secretary General

There is no need for a majority to appoint the next NATO Secretary General, says foreign commentator Bernard Hammelburg. “But consensus is preferred.” The United States plays a major role in this decision. “So I wouldn’t be surprised if US President Joe Biden or Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls Orban.” In this way, a compromise may be possible because Orban is known for being transactional, according to Hammelborg.

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Deployment of Western weapons

Current NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently spoke positively about the possibility of Ukraine attacking Russian military targets. The foreign commentator says the American position is also changing. While Secretary Blinken is still under consideration, he hinted that further escalation by Russia would make such decisions logical. However, it is a different language than we have heard before.

This is linked to a changing view in general, Hamelborg believes, “specifically: things are not going well in Ukraine.” In light of this, Sweden also announced that it will supply Ukraine with radar aircraft. “This is very important because it makes it easier to track the sources of enemy fire,” Hammelburg says. If Ukraine decides to strike targets with long-range weapons, “such radar aircraft are essential for the effectiveness of its defensive and offensive strategies.”