NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the United Kingdom’s significant contributions to NATO and its ongoing support for Ukraine during his visit to London on 10 October 2024.
The visit marked Rutte’s first official trip to a NATO member country since taking office, and he held meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and Defence Secretary John Healey.
During discussions, Rutte acknowledged the UK’s role in the defence of the Alliance, noting the country’s consistent commitment to NATO’s defence spending goals.
“We are really appreciative of everything the UK is doing,” Rutte said, highlighting that the UK was one of only three NATO members to invest 2% of its GDP in defence when this guideline was set at the Wales Summit a decade ago.
Rutte also announced the upcoming launch of NATO’s annual nuclear exercise, ‘Steadfast Noon’, which will begin on 14 October.
He praised the UK’s contribution to NATO’s nuclear deterrence, speaking of the importance of such exercises. “In an uncertain world, it is vital that we test our defences, and that we strengthen our defence so that our adversaries know that NATO is ready and is able to respond to any threat,” Rutte stated.
In addition to NATO’s collective defence efforts, Rutte commended the UK’s support for Ukraine, describing the country’s provision of training, artillery, and aid as “crucial” to Ukraine’s ongoing fight.
The UK currently provides £3 billion per year as part of the €40 billion financial pledge for Ukraine, agreed upon by NATO Allies at the Washington Summit.
Title is misleading
Typo in the tile.
“tile”?
How so?
Yeah, I think the title should read ‘NATO secretary general’ not ‘UN secretary general’.
Indeed!
Thanks for that.
They are correct on the title. “NATO” not “UN”.
Unless he has just been fired and he means “un-NATO” as in “not” !