Outgoing Dutch PM Mark Rutte held secret talks with Hungarian leader Viktor Orban. It happened on the sidelines of the EU.
Points of attention
- Rutte promised to help a pro-Russian politician from Hungary in exchange for support for his candidacy for the NATO Secretary General post.
- Rutte has Joe Biden's support and could become NATO's Secretary General, continuing his support for Ukraine and the path towards Europe.
- The new Dutch government intends to continue cooperation with Ukraine and support its Euro-Atlantic ambitions.
Why Orbán and Rutte discussed Ukraine
Rutte promised the pro-Russian politician to allow Hungary not to take part in NATO's support for Kyiv in exchange for lifting the veto on his candidacy for the position of Secretary General of the Alliance.
The Financial Times learned about it from its insiders in the EU.
According to journalists, Orbán allegedly agreed to this proposal. He reportedly demanded an apology from Rutte for his "problematic" views on Hungary, but this condition was "quietly withdrawn".
What is essential to understand is that the Prime Minister of the Netherlands repeatedly started discussions with his Hungarian counterpart because of the latter's strict views on homosexuality and judicial reforms in the country.
Rutte has every chance to become the Secretary General of NATO
As journalists note, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, who will entirely possibly leave his post in July after forming a new government in The Hague, already has the support of the American leader, Joe Biden, in the post of NATO Secretary General.
In addition, it is emphasized that after Slovakia announced its support for Rutte, the position of only one of the 32 NATO members—Romania—remained uncertain.
Mark Rutte also promised that the new Dutch government, which includes his Liberal Party and far-right leader Geert Wilders, will continue to support Ukraine.
As for foreign policy, the new Cabinet of Ministers will fully continue its course towards Europe and NATO with Ukraine. There will be no changes, said the politician.
