BRUSSELS — NATO appointed Mark Rutte as its next secretary-general on Wednesday, putting the outgoing Dutch prime minister in charge of the world’s biggest security organization at a critical time for European security as war rages in Ukraine.

Rutte’s appointment was sealed by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the 32-nation alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. U.S. President Joe Biden and his counterparts will formally welcome him to their table at a summit in Washington on July 9-11.

The outgoing Dutch premier will take over from the current secretary general, Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, on Oct. 1. Stoltenberg spent more than a decade at the helm. His mandate was repeatedly extended, in part to provide continuity after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

 Why Suffolk doesn't have 'I Voted' stickers ... Latino voters and the immigration issue ... Jets, Raiders preview Credit: Newsday

Sex spa enforcement lags in this LI town ... Why Suffolk doesn't have 'I Voted' stickers ... State OK's FIOS for part of Brookhaven ... Picture This: Kings Park Psychiatric Center

 Why Suffolk doesn't have 'I Voted' stickers ... Latino voters and the immigration issue ... Jets, Raiders preview Credit: Newsday

Sex spa enforcement lags in this LI town ... Why Suffolk doesn't have 'I Voted' stickers ... State OK's FIOS for part of Brookhaven ... Picture This: Kings Park Psychiatric Center

Subscribe

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

SUBSCRIBESALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME