NATO Secretary General at the European Political Community, 07 NOV 2024

Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the meeting of the European Political Community, 7 November 2024.

Transcript

Question: You were just talking with Orbán now, did you talk with him about his proposal to change the strategy of Ukraine? It seems that, in his view, we don't manage to have enough weapons for Ukraine to protect [inaudible].

🗣 | NATO Secretary General: Well, we just had 30 seconds to gossip a bit, but not about these subjects. Now, let me just say what is on my mind today. First of all, of course, I want to congratulate again, President Trump, upon his re-election. It was really a huge success for him, including capturing the House and the Senate. I look forward to work with him again. When he was president he was the one in NATO who stimulated us to move over the 2% and now also thanks to him, in NATO, if you take out the numbers of the US for a moment, is above the 2% and I think very much that is his doing, his success, and we need to do more. We know this today.

Today on my mind in this meeting is what is happening now with North Koreans being deployed in Russia. And what we see more and more is that North Korea, Iran, China and of course, Russia are working together, working together against Ukraine, but at the same time, Russia has to pay for this, and one of the things they are doing is delivering technology to North Korea, which is now threatening the future the mainland of the US, continental Europe, but also our partners in Indo, Pacific, Japan, for example, and Republic of Korea. So these are really dangerous new developments, and we need to discuss that today.

But I also look forward to sit down with President Trump and to navigate how collectively we'll make sure that we face this threat and that we keep our part of the world safe.

Question: You have been called the “Trump whisperer”, what do you say to those who have been in fear of Donald Trump?

🗣 | NATO Secretary General: People in the United States have now elected him. He is the president. I worked very well with him for four years. He is extremely clear about what he wants. He understands that you have to deal with each other to come to joint positions. And I think we can do that.

Question: Can Europe support Ukraine alone, if the US pulls the plug on the support?

🗣 | NATO Secretary General: The thing is this, if Russia would be successful in Ukraine, you would have an emboldened Russia at our border, having gained landmass, having gained the huge Defence Force of Ukraine, but also the ingenuity of Ukrainian people. So that will be a threat not only, not only to Europe, to the European part of NATO, but also to the United States.

And that's why collectively, we have to work not only the threat of Russia, but also the fact that these four countries work together and that now, very soon, we will see that also the US itself is under threat from these newest technological developments, thanks to Russia giving its latest insights and technology to the North Koreans.

Question: On Germany are you worried about the political situation? We as Germans are aware that we're in a huge instability now.

🗣 | NATO Secretary General: I'm sure that when it comes to defence, when it comes to foreign policy, that Germany will be able to conduct its foreign policy, fulfil its obligations in terms of defence, etc. So I'm not worried about that. Olaf Scholz is a strong leader. I know him very well, so I think he will navigate during the coming months making sure that Germany plays its role at the world stage.

Question: What will your message be to the leaders today, specifically on the issue you just mentioned about the role of North Korea in this war. Now, what do you expect from them?

🗣 | NATO Secretary General: This role of North Korea is basically illustrating how these countries work together, China, North Korea, Russia and, of course, Iran. And this is more and more a threat, not only to the European part of NATO, but also to the United States, because Russia is delivering the latest technology into North Korea in return for North Korean help with the war against Ukraine. And it is a threat not only to the European part of NATO, but also to the US mainland.

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[BigBassHeavy]

Mark Rutte heading Nato can do this with or without Trumps American support. Lets do this...

[AnotherJoe]

Rutte is a godsend to NATO in this difficult and uncertain time in current history.

[c.a.saunders]

Extremely smart, and thoughtful press conference from the Nato Secretary here. Regarding the recent elections in the United States of America, it is wise in not alienating any duly elected official you know you must work with regardless of which party they represent. It is absolutely necessary.

The worldwide situation, and condition is such that itself mandates intensive collaboration, cohesion, and achieving necessary goals for security of all.

The Secretary knows this very well, and I suggest that all vested and desiring regional, and world security pursue this tact rather than an adversarial one.

These are more, and more very critical times, and will take a united support, and heightened awareness from us all. Thank you, and God bless,
🇺🇲🇺🇦




Glory to God,
Victory for Ukraine,
Rise Free Nations!

[guy.l]

Ukraine doesn't need trump to defeat putin! Freedom is the last fight you should risk everything for !!

[CHARLESFRIGATESYEO]

Mr Rutte is a smart leader he take his job seriously

[lb]

One of the very few people who I'd trust in this position. This guy navigates through the most complex political webs like a badass.

[saintracheljarodm.holy-kay]

NATO/OTAN: MUST BE ABLE TOO STAND READY. GOD BLESS AMEN. 🙏🕊

[TigruArdavi]

Well, the least we can say, Rutte can speak very diplomatically.

[IHaulBoxes]

Professionalism 👌
2% was a nice peacetime contingent.
Now we need a "wartime%" + "recovery%" for what was underspent during peacetime.

[amuller]

Rutte is optimistic and a strong believer in the strength of NATO and Ukraine! And he is a very good negotiator. 💪🏻

[virginiajune]

These are difficult days, contradictory times, and very dangerous. Nato, must stand strong

[bintang-zotw]

very wel spoken and clear answers from Rutten

[LudmillaOlesnicky]

I hope that USA wakes up. USA is now threatened as well as is the South Asia.

[KPsTboy]

Trump being elected was no doubt the reason to get Rutte to be secretary general of Nato. Within the Dutch politics I wasn't a fan of him, but I do believe he's the right one for this job at this particular moment in time.

[Adoline_edits]

I am praying that Trump won't abandon NATO. 🙏🇺🇲🇺🇲 Viva la Liberte!! 🇺🇦🇪🇺

[MusicheadRick]

While the sensational wild election circus in the USA is going on, with Trump getting all the attention;
A very smart and ruthless Dutch underdog moves the chesspieces silently towards a checkmate for Putin.

[josa]

Thats sounds good, Rutte.Never heard him before.I'm positive surprised.

[HelenNerantzoulis]

All I want to see NATO STRONG E UNITED E BE THERE FOR HER MEMBERS WHEN THEY NEED HELP ❤
AND I WILL BE HAPPIER TO SEE UKRAINE AS A MEMBER THAT'S OUR DREAM SO THAT UKRAINE NATION HAVE A BETTER LIFE E SAFE NATO NEED A CHANGE FOR A STRONGER LEADER JUST LIKE YOU SIR. WISHING YOU SUCCESS E UNITY ALWAYS 👍👍

[JerjerB]

I support NATO 100%. Many Swiss citizens want to join.

[jdhuisen]

Mark Rutte 👍 geweldig
De beste leider om dit op te lossen.