A security expert has voiced concerns regarding the conduct of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Stefanie Babst, a former NATO strategist, stated in a recent radio interview that Rutte appears to be closely aligning with positions previously articulated by former US President Donald Trump.
“This steadfast adherence to Mr. Trump, manifested in numerous verbal and other concessions, strikes me as unhelpful” Babst asserted. She contends that over recent months, the Secretary General has consistently mirrored the stances of the current US administration.
Babst emphasizes that the role of NATO Secretary General necessitates representing the interests of all 32 member states and public statements should only be made when a unified position is clearly established.
Specifically, Babst expressed strong disagreement with Rutte’s attempts to differentiate between so-called “de facto” and “de jure” territorial separations. She argues this approach undermines the stated commitment to Ukrainian territorial integrity. “If, as Europeans, we affirm our commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, we should reinforce that conviction through both words and actions and maintain that stance resolutely” she stated.
