KYIV: Ukrainian President Zelensky on Tuesday felicitated the NATO Secretary General on having his mandate extended, lauding Jens Stoltenberg for his “personal efforts” in backing and supporting the war-hit Ukraine.
President Zelensky Lauds NATO Chief for ‘Personal Efforts’ on Ukraine
“I thanked the NATO chief for his personal efforts to support our country,” President Zelensky said following a phone call with Jens Stoltenberg. He expressed hoed that their cooperation would also remain fruitful in the upcoming days.
Earlier, NATO’s member countries announced that they have extended the term of Jens Stoltenberg as the head of the military alliance for an additional year. The decision comes following difficulties in finding his replacement, with the current war in Ukraine shadowing the selection process.
Jens Stoltenberg, who has been serving as NATO’s chief since 2014, expressed his gratitude for the extension. “Honoured by NATO members’ decision to extend my tenure as Secretary General until 1 October 2024,” in a statement he said. He emphasized the importance of the alliance in an increasingly dangerous world.
The decision to extend Stoltenberg’s term was made by NATO’s 31 member countries, who were unable to reach a consensus on a suitable replacement. Several potential candidates, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and British Defence Minister Ben Wallace, had withdrawn from contest.
While Frederiksen had been seen as a potential first female leader and a representative of the European Union, NATO nations along the alliance’s eastern flank pushed for a leader from their region to emphasize a tougher stance against Russia. France insisted on someone from an EU country, and many allies preferred a former head of state or government.
Stoltenberg, who had already received a one-year extension following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, enjoys strong support from key allies, including the United States. US President Joe Biden welcomed the extension and praised Stoltenberg’s steady leadership and experience in addressing significant security challenges.
