Politico reported that Western officials see the next NATO secretary general as a European who can work with any administration in Washington and support Ukraine, but without being too aggressive.
officials said to the newspaper: “The next head of NATO should be a European who can work closely with anyone in the White House. The next head of NATO should support Ukraine, but not be too aggressive, so as not to scare away countries that are afraid to provoke Russia. In addition, he should. must be credible and able to garner unanimous support in 31 capitals, especially Washington.
Jens Stoltenberg has been the current Secretary General of the Alliance for nearly nine years. The last time his term was extended in March last year until the end of September 2023.
It is likely that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be appointed Secretary of NATO.
The newspaper notes that I Ursula von der Leyen Good working relationship with Washington. She is a former secretary of defense. As President of the European Commission, she has experience of working with most NATO heads of government. In addition, if she is chosen, she will become the first female leader of the alliance.
However, the publication notes that Stoltenberg will leave her post in September 2023, and some do not expect Ursula to step down before the end of her presidential term at the end of 2024.
“I don’t think she will move anywhere before her term expires,” said a senior UNHCR official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity.
The newspaper suggested that the current head of NATO might ask him to stay at least a little longer to allow a candidate like von der Leyen to attend at a later stage.
“If Stoltenberg’s term is extended until next summer, Ursula von der Leyen’s candidacy would seem logical,” a senior European diplomat said.
Source: Politico