Dutch Prime Minister: ‘Stop complaining about Trump and focus on Europe’s interests’

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MUNICH (Reuters) – Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the leading candidate to become the next North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) secretary-general, said on Saturday that Europe should stop whining about Donald Trump and instead advocate for Ukraine. He said that the focus should be on what can be done.

Former US President Donald Trump has sparked outrage in Europe by saying that if he is re-elected in November, he will not protect NATO allies who do not spend enough on their defense.

“We need to stop moaning, complaining and nagging about President Trump,” Prime Minister Rutte told the Munich Security Conference.

He added: “It’s up to the American people. I’m not an American, I can’t vote in America. We have to work together, no matter who is on the dance floor.”

He said Europe should increase defense spending and increase ammunition production in any case, not just because Trump might return.

He said Europe needs to increase its aid to Ukraine to serve Ukraine’s interests.

Rutte, who abruptly announced his retirement from Dutch politics in July, said he did not know whether he was considered a front-runner for NATO leadership and had no intention of launching a personal campaign.

“And all the whining and moaning about Trump. I’ve heard it constantly over the last few days. Let’s stop it,” Rutte said, adding that after speaking with American politicians in Munich, he said he would “carefully He added that he was also optimistic. The stopped package will eventually pass through.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has held the position since 2014 and is scheduled to retire in October 2024.

He comes as Russia’s war in Ukraine escalates under the radar of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), with the alliance’s 31 members choosing to stick with experienced leaders rather than try to agree on a successor. His term was extended for the fourth time in July.

Before NATO decided to retain Stoltenberg, diplomatic sources said Rutte was a strong candidate to succeed him, but the Dutchman insisted he was unavailable at the time. Ta.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Giles Elgood)

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