The British declaration provides additional strain on Jap flank nations to drop their hesitation over Rutte, criticized for failing to deliver Dutch protection spending as much as the two p.c of GDP goal pledged by all NATO allies.
Nonetheless, Rutte is the clear favourite amongst large allies.
He emerged Wednesday as a frontrunner in what’s to date a one-man race for the alliance’s prime job, anticipated to be vacated by Stoltenberg in October.
Rutte has already secured the backing of two-thirds of NATO nations to guide the army alliance, two senior officers advised POLITICO Wednesday.
Later within the day, a U.S. official confirmed that Biden is a kind of supporting Rutte, which is more likely to sway extra allies to get on board with Rutte’s nomination.
Rutte wants the backing of all 31 NATO members earlier than he might be declared the secretary-general.