Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban has decided to support Mark Rutte's bid to become the next leader of NATO. This decision follows written guarantees from Rutte, the outgoing Dutch prime minister, that Hungary would not be compelled to take part in NATO's new initiatives to aid Ukraine.

Rutte's assurances, detailed in a letter to Orban, have removed a significant barrier to his potential appointment as NATO's next secretary-general, the top civilian position within the organization.

This backing could enable NATO to showcase a united front and express solidarity with Ukraine, which is devastated by war, during the upcoming summit in Washington on July 9-11, marking NATO's 75th anniversary.

During recent discussions in Budapest, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, whose term ends in October, reached an agreement with Orban to ensure Hungary would not obstruct NATO's plans for Ukraine.

Stoltenberg agreed that Hungary would not be required to provide personnel or financial contributions for the collective effort, but Orban wanted similar assurances from Rutte as well.

Hungary's Position and Consensus in NATO

NATO makes all its decisions by consensus, allowing any of its 32 member countries to essentially veto participation in any joint effort or operation.

Through social media, Orban emphasized the importance of ensuring that this agreement remains valid over time.

Orban shared Rutte's letter, dated June 18, sent the day after their meeting in Brussels during a European Union summit.

Rutte expressed in the letter, "As a possible future NATO Secretary General, I will wholeheartedly support the outcome of your discussions with Jens Stoltenberg."

For Orban, this was satisfactory. "PM Mark Rutte has confirmed his full support for this agreement and his intention to maintain it should he become NATO's Secretary General. Therefore, Hungary is prepared to endorse PM Rutte's candidacy for NATO Secretary General," Orban posted on X.

Orban also mentioned an important agreement reached with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after a recent European election where Hungarian voters overwhelmingly supported peace. The agreement ensured that no Hungarian personnel would be involved in NATO activities in Ukraine.

Additionally, Hungary had raised concerns over comments Rutte made about the Hungarian government three years ago, seeking an apology.

Rutte acknowledged that his past remarks had "caused dissatisfaction in Hungary" and stressed that his priority as NATO Secretary General would be to maintain unity and respect among all Allies.

After Hungary's announcement, Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that Rutte is poised to succeed Stoltenberg as NATO chief.

Statements from NATO and Current Developments

During a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, Stoltenberg did not confirm or deny the media report but mentioned that with Orban's announcement, the selection of the next secretary-general is very close.

"I believe Mark Rutte is a strong candidate with extensive experience as prime minister. He's a close friend and colleague, and I'm confident that soon NATO will have decided on my successor, which will be beneficial for all of us," Stoltenberg stated.

The NATO secretary-general is responsible for leading meetings and facilitating delicate discussions among member nations to ensure that the alliance, which operates by consensus, continues to function effectively.

Rutte enjoys strong support from major NATO allies, including the United States and Germany. Although Turkey had initially opposed Rutte's bid, it lifted its objections in April.

The candidacy of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, nearing the end of his second term, remains a minor challenge, but officials and analysts do not believe it will cause significant issues.

Stoltenberg has been a steady leader for NATO for a decade, with his mandate extended multiple times. Despite plans to name a successor during a meeting in Lithuania in July 2023, no consensus was reached at that time.

"You've done an excellent job, and I wish you could extend your term by another 10 years," Biden commented to Stoltenberg during their meeting at the White House.