Mark Rutte, the outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands, will succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the next secretary general of NATO, as agreed upon by all 32 nations of the alliance. Watch in for more details!

Former Dutch PM Mark Rutte set to replace Jens Stoltenberg as NATO Chief

Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to be next NATO chief

Mark Rutte set to be NATO's next secretary-general

Mark Rutte, the outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands, will succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the next secretary general of NATO, as agreed upon by all 32 nations of the alliance.

Mark Rutte, the outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands, will succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the next secretary general of NATO, as agreed upon by all 32 nations of the alliance. Klaus Iohannis, the president of Romania, withdrew his candidacy for the NATO secretary general post on Thursday (June 20), reaffirming Romania's support for Rutte after receiving endorsements from Slovakia and Hungary on Tuesday. Iohannis said that he had informed NATO allies of his decision to withdraw his candidacy at a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence. Rutte's leadership has come when the world is marred with conflicts and major countries are holding their elections. He will assume the position on October 2. Also read: Putin's Pyongyang yawn: Social media buzzes over videos of 'bored' Putin at North Korean concert - See pics Now that Rutte has been confirmed, the succession question is resolved before July, when NATO leaders travel to Washington to commemorate the alliance's 75th anniversary. Rutte's road to becoming NATO chief hasn't been easy. Since late November, he has been campaigning for the position. Eastern European nations have questioned Rutte's pre-2014 support for Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, and he has been accused of not actively enlisting their support. Nevertheless, Rutte received the support of two-thirds of all NATO members when he announced his candidacy in March. Rutte was chosen after a lengthy process that saw Stoltenberg's term extended four times. The secretary general's tenure was extended by Allies in 2017 until the end of September 2020. They rescheduled that date to September 2022 in 2019. Another extension was issued in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NATO partners decided to give Stoltenberg an additional year as secretary general in July of last year. (With inputs from agencies)

Mark Rutte to succeed Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general amid escalating global tensions

Watch top headlines of the hour: - Rutte set to be next NATO Chief - Romania to send Patriots to Ukraine - South Korea & US hold joint air drills - Kenya: Police fire tear gas on protesters - India: PM Modi begins 2-day J&K visit - UK keeps rates at 16-year high

Rutte set to be next NATO Chief | South Korea & US hold joint air drills

NATO's chief called Monday for China to face consequences if it keeps up support to Russia, as he said that a steady flow of weapons to Ukraine was the only way to end the war.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was paying a visit to Washington to lay the groundwork for NATO's 75th anniversary summit next month.

The July gathering aims to send a decisive long-term message of support for Ukraine as President Joe Biden faces a tough reelection fight against Donald Trump, a skeptic of Western support for Kyiv.

Speaking ahead of a meeting with Biden, Stoltenberg accused China of worsening the conflict through what US officials say is a major export push to rebuild Russia's defense industry.

President Xi Jinping "has tried to create the impression that he is taking a back seat in this conflict, to avoid sanctions and keep trade flowing," Stoltenberg said at the Wilson Center.

"But the reality is that China is fueling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II, and at the same time, it wants to maintain good relations with the West," he said.

"Beijing cannot have it both ways. At some point -- and unless China changes course -- allies need to impose a cost. There should be consequences."

In addition to the 32 members of the NATO alliance, the summit will also bring in four key partners from the Asia-Pacific: Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

China argues that it is not sending lethal assistance to either side -- unlike the United States and other Western nations.

Stoltenberg said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit this week to North Korea, which has supplied shells to Moscow despite being under UN sanctions, further showed how Moscow was "dependent" on authoritarian leaders.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-and-italy-strengthen-ties-with-indo-mediterranean-initiative-732626">India and Italy strengthen ties with Indo-Mediterranean initiative</a>

Beijing steered clear of a weekend summit in Switzerland promoted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that reaffirmed Kyiv's demands for Russia to leave Ukrainian territory for any peace.

Russia has insisted that it is interested in talks, but has demanded Ukrainian forces withdraw from territory seized by Moscow.

Trump -- who in the past has voiced admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin -- has boasted that he can quickly end the war, likely by pressing Ukraine to accept demands.

In an unstated effort to "Trump-proof" future efforts, Stoltenberg wants the Washington summit both to put NATO in the lead of coordination on Ukraine and to set up a way for long-term military funding.

"The more credible our long-term support, the quicker Moscow will realize it cannot wait us out," he said.

"It may seem like a paradox, but the path to peace is more weapons for Ukraine."

The US Congress in April approved some $60 billion in new military funding for Ukraine but only after months of political fighting and opposition by some of Trump's Republican allies.

"Regardless of who's going to be the next president of the United States," Stoltenberg told reporters of the delay, "I believe that we should minimize the risk."

Stoltenberg said he would also tell Biden of the rising number of NATO members that are meeting a goal set in 2014 of spending two percent of GDP on defense.

Trump has long raged over what he sees as unfairness in the alliance founded in the Cold War.

On the campaign trail, he has suggested that he would encourage Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" to any NATO member that does not "pay (its) bills."

Asked about Trump's criticism, Stoltenberg, who led NATO throughout the mogul's 2017-2021 presidency, said that successive US administrations had "an absolutely valid point to say that European allies are spending too little."

"The good news is that's changing," Stoltenberg said.

"We're not saying that we are satisfied, but we are in a totally different place now than we were back in 2014."

NATO's chief called Monday for China to face consequences if it keeps up support to Russia, as he said that a steady flow of weapons to Ukraine was the only way to end the war.

NATO's chief called Monday for China to face consequences if it keeps up support to Russia, as he said that a steady flow of weapons to Ukraine was the only way to end the war. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was paying a visit to Washington to lay the groundwork for NATO's 75th anniversary summit next month. The July gathering aims to send a decisive long-term message of support for Ukraine as President Joe Biden faces a tough reelection fight against Donald Trump, a skeptic of Western support for Kyiv. Speaking ahead of a meeting with Biden, Stoltenberg accused China of worsening the conflict through what US officials say is a major export push to rebuild Russia's defense industry. President Xi Jinping "has tried to create the impression that he is taking a back seat in this conflict, to avoid sanctions and keep trade flowing," Stoltenberg said at the Wilson Center. "But the reality is that China is fueling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II, and at the same time, it wants to maintain good relations with the West," he said. "Beijing cannot have it both ways. At some point -- and unless China changes course -- allies need to impose a cost. There should be consequences." In addition to the 32 members of the NATO alliance, the summit will also bring in four key partners from the Asia-Pacific: Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. China argues that it is not sending lethal assistance to either side -- unlike the United States and other Western nations. Stoltenberg said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit this week to North Korea, which has supplied shells to Moscow despite being under UN sanctions, further showed how Moscow was "dependent" on authoritarian leaders. Also read: India and Italy strengthen ties with Indo-Mediterranean initiative Beijing steered clear of a weekend summit in Switzerland promoted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that reaffirmed Kyiv's demands for Russia to leave Ukrainian territory for any peace. Russia has insisted that it is interested in talks, but has demanded Ukrainian forces withdraw from territory seized by Moscow. Trump -- who in the past has voiced admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin -- has boasted that he can quickly end the war, likely by pressing Ukraine to accept demands. In an unstated effort to "Trump-proof" future efforts, Stoltenberg wants the Washington summit both to put NATO in the lead of coordination on Ukraine and to set up a way for long-term military funding. "The more credible our long-term support, the quicker Moscow will realize it cannot wait us out," he said. "It may seem like a paradox, but the path to peace is more weapons for Ukraine." The US Congress in April approved some $60 billion in new military funding for Ukraine but only after months of political fighting and opposition by some of Trump's Republican allies. "Regardless of who's going to be the next president of the United States," Stoltenberg told reporters of the delay, "I believe that we should minimize the risk." Stoltenberg said he would also tell Biden of the rising number of NATO members that are meeting a goal set in 2014 of spending two percent of GDP on defense. Trump has long raged over what he sees as unfairness in the alliance founded in the Cold War. On the campaign trail, he has suggested that he would encourage Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" to any NATO member that does not "pay (its) bills." Asked about Trump's criticism, Stoltenberg, who led NATO throughout the mogul's 2017-2021 presidency, said that successive US administrations had "an absolutely valid point to say that European allies are spending too little." "The good news is that's changing," Stoltenberg said. "We're not saying that we are satisfied, but we are in a totally different place now than we were back in 2014."

West should 'impose a cost' on China for Russia support: NATO chief

More than 20 NATO members will meet the military Alliance Target of spending at least 2% of their respective GDPs on defence this year now this is as per NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

NATO summit next week: NATO to discuss defence expenditure aims

More than 20 NATO members will meet the military Alliance Target of spending at least 2% of their GDP on defense this year. This is as per NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. Watch in for more details!

20 NATO allies to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense: NATO Chief

The US President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the situation in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region during their meeting in Washington. Watch in for more details!

US President Joe Biden hosts NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg

NATO is in talks to deploy more nuclear weapons, taking them out of storage and placing them on standby, in the face of a growing threat from Russia and China, the head of the alliance Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday. Watch in for more details!

NATO in talks to put nuclear weapons on standby

NATO is adapting its nuclear Arsenal in the face of security threats from Russia and China. NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg called for the block to display its stockpile to the world and send a direct message. Expenditure on nuclear weapons has also increased. Expenditure on Warheads is estimated to have risen by 13% to record 91.4 billion dollar in 2023 as per the survey by the International campaign to abolish nuclear weapons. Watch in for more details!

NATO to put nuclear weapons on standby?

The Russia-Ukraine war continues to rage on. Meanwhile, the rift between Russia and the West is widening. NATO is at the forefront in aiding Ukraine. Now, NATO hints at putting nuclear weapons on standby. Is World War III around the corner? Watch this video for all details.

NATO to put nuclear weapons on standby amid growing threat from Russia & China

Global spending on nuclear weapons up 13% in record rise

China is expanding its nuclear Arsenal faster than any other country says a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. From 410 nuclear warheads last year China's military stockpile has grown to 500. Keep watching to know more!

The nuclear numbers game: Who is ahead?

NATO is adapting its nuclear Arsenal in the face of security threats from Russia and China. NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg called for the block to display its stockpile to the world and send a direct message.

NATO Chief: Display nuclear warheads, send message to Russia

WION's Senor correspondent Siddharth MP brings you this exclusive report from on board the world's first floating nuclear power plant. Watch in for more details!

WION Reports from Russia's far-east | On-board world's only floating nuclear power plant

In response to a question on the possibility of a nuclear conflict over Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday that Russia would use all of its resources to defend itself in the event that its sovereignty or territorial integrity were in danger.

Putin Vs NATO: Chilling echoes of past crisis reverberate in the present

Russian warships, a nuclear submarine are sailing towards Cuba. This comes days after Putin warned NATO that he would supply weapons to countries where they can be used to strike the West. Is Putin backing his threat with real action?

Putin sends Russian warships, nuclear submarine to Cuba. What happens next?

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Europe was once again "at a crossroads" eight decades after the D-Day landings in World War II, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin as "our common enemy" in a speech to the French National Assembly.

NATO vs Russia: Macron to send warplanes to Ukraine despite Putin's "big warning"

The first modification to Germany's wartime protocols in thirty-five years came as NATO and Russian tensions grew. Germany revised its 1989 Framework Directive for Overall Defense, signaling the Federal Government's intention to carry out Defense Minister Boris Pistorius's promise to have the nation "ready for war" by 2029.

Germany ramping up war plan as Russia's Putin threatens nuclear war

Germany's defence ministry believes it will need at least 75,000 additional troops to fulfil its NATO commitments as the alliance adapts to face what it sees as an increasingly hostile Russia.

Germany needs 75,000 more troops as NATO eyes Russia threat

In reaction to NATO partners permitting Ukraine to use their weapons to attack Russian territory, President Vladimir Putin issued a warning on Wednesday, threatening to supply others with long-range weaponry so they could attack Western targets.

Putin: Russia could provide long-range weapons to others to strike Western targets

On June 5, President Vladimir Putin issued a warning, stating that if NATO partners permit Ukraine to use their weapons to attack Russian territory, Russia may supply long-range missiles to others for use against Western targets.

Russia-Ukraine war: Putin reaffirms readiness to use nuclear weapons, warns West

NATO vs Russia: Vladimir Putin warns Russia could provide "nuclear" weapons to strike West

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