An EU veteran with an established relationship with Donald Trump, ex-Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is well-placed to tackle NATO’s challenges, defence experts have told Euronews.

Rutte will replace Jens Stoltenberg on Oct. 1, marking the first time in a decade that the top post in the alliance will change hands. Read also: Dutch PM Mark Rutte to lead NATO from October According to Reuters,

Incoming NATO chief Mark Rutte brings new leadership this week to one of the world's most powerful-sounding roles -- helming the nuclear-armed Atlantic alliance.

The reality of the NATO job means Rutte will be heading a risk-averse civilian bureaucracy, with hard power ultimately residing with member countries and above all the United States

Mark Rutte takes the helm at NATO on October 1, after more than a dozen years as Dutch prime minister. Mark Rutte announced in July 2023 that he was resigning as prime minister of the Netherlands and "retiring from politics" after his government coalition collapsed over differences in migration policy.