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'Stop worrying about Trump': NATO chief to allies

After a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London, NATO Chief Mark Rutte allays fears about Donald Trump's possible re-election to the White House.

Reuters

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks to the media outside 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, October 10, 2024. / Photo: Reuters

NATO chief Mark Rutte urged allies to stop fretting about Donald Trump's possible return to the White House, saying the former leader understood what was at stake in the Ukraine war.

A former Dutch prime minister and staunch Ukraine supporter who took the Atlantic alliance's reins early this month, Rutte was in London for a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"I know that he understands completely and agrees with me that this fight in Ukraine is not only about Ukraine, it's also about the safety and the future security of the United States. He knows this," Rutte said of Trump after Thursday's meeting.

"So, really, stop worrying about a Trump presidency."

'I'm not worried'

Some NATO members fear a reduced US commitment to European security and an end to military support for Ukraine if the aid-sceptic Republican wins the presidential election on November 5.

On the campaign trail, Trump has threatened not to protect NATO members who do not spend enough on defence and promised a quick deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.

Rutte had already dismissed the fears surrounding a possible Trump win when he took over as NATO secretary general.

"I'm not worried. I know both candidates very well. I worked for four years with Donald Trump," Rutte said then, addressing concerns over the impact the US vote could have on the alliance.