Hungary no longer opposes Rutte as NATO Secretary General

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban no longer opposes the candidacy of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is running for the post of NATO's next secretary general. Orban said this on Tuesday, June 18, in a statement in X.

The Hungarian prime minister claims that it was important for him that the next NATO secretary general support his agreement with his predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg.

According to Orbán, they agreed that Hungary would not participate in NATO's activities in Ukraine, and that Hungarian money would not be used to support it.

According to Orbán, during the meeting in Brussels, Rutte promised to uphold the agreement if he takes over as NATO Secretary General.

"In light of his promise, Hungary is ready to support the candidacy of Prime Minister Rutte for the post of NATO Secretary General," the Hungarian prime minister wrote.

According to Orban, Rutte assured that his goal as NATO Secretary General would be "to treat all members of the Alliance with the same level of understanding and respect."

As reported by the Financial Times on June 18, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte promised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban that during his tenure, Hungary would have the right to refuse to participate in NATO events in support of Ukraine that would take place outside the territory of the Alliance.

Author - Ihor Lontkivskyi 18.06.24