In a potential move that could bolster NATO's stance against Russian aggression, outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is likely to assume the role of NATO chief, with good rapport with former US President Donald Trump cited as a beneficial factor. The appointment of Rutte, who has enjoyed a positive relationship with Trump, could help the alliance navigate the current standoff with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election.

During his presidency, Trump criticized NATO members for not meeting their defense spending commitments, leading to concerns that he might withdraw the US from the alliance. In February of this year, Trump's comments suggesting that he would encourage Russia to act as it pleased towards countries that were not meeting their financial obligations to the alliance raised alarm, especially amidst Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, defense experts believe Rutte's ability to effectively engage with Trump, should he return to the White House, could be instrumental in managing NATO's relationship with the US.

Roger Hilton, a defense research fellow at think tank GLOBSEC, highlighted Rutte's pivotal role in rescuing the 2018 NATO Leaders' Summit and emphasized the importance of his positive rapport with Trump in navigating a potential Trump 2.0 presidency. Hilton stated that Rutte's ability to deftly handle a Trump administration could have far-reaching implications for NATO and Ukraine, given the existential importance of their relationship.

The likelihood of Rutte, 57, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg as NATO chief has increased after Hungary and Slovakia expressed their support for his nomination. However, Romania, whose president Klaus Iohannis is another contender for the position, is opposed to Rutte's candidacy. Experts believe Rutte's political astuteness, experience, and extensive connections make him an ideal candidate who is skilled in adapting to the political climate within the alliance.

While expectations of a drastic shift under Rutte may be low, experts anticipate that his support for Ukraine may align closely with the United States' position, given his backing from the US and Germany. Nonetheless, Rutte has demonstrated an increasingly hawkish stance towards Russia in recent years, as seen in his firm response to the downing of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014, which his country blamed on Russia.

Rutte's commitment to Ukraine's security is evident in the signing of a 10-year security pact with the nation and leading an international effort to provide F-16 fighter jets. His statements at the United Nations in September 2022, warning that Putin would not stop at Ukraine, further emphasize his dedication to countering Russian aggression.

While Rutte's appointment as NATO chief is viewed positively by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyiv, experts believe he will prioritize diplomacy and utilize reassurance tactics to ease concerns among NATO allies along the eastern flank. It remains to be seen how Rutte's appointment will impact the incoming Dutch coalition government, as further decisions are pending until the cabinet is determined.

NATO has been contacted for comment, but no response has been received at this time.

The potential appointment of Mark Rutte as the next NATO chief signals the alliance's determination to address the Russian threat and maintain unity in the face of ongoing global challenges.

(Note: This article is generated based on the information provided by the user and does not include any external research or additional context.