NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (right) at press conference with Finland President Alexander Stubb at NATO headquarters in Brussels Oct. 8, 2024. (Credit: nato.int) 

By Gary Raynaldo    –   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

NATO’s military alliance is stronger after Finland joined last year, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Tuesday during a meeting with Finnish president Alexander Stubb. Rutte, NATO’s new secretary general, met with President Stubb at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters. “Since Finland became a NATO Ally eighteen months ago, the Alliance has become stronger and Finland has become safer,” Rutte told reporters after meeting with Stubb.  Rutte praised Finland’s “seamless integration into the NATO family” and noted that the country is investing more than 2% of GDP in defense. Rutte noted that Finland has delivered more than 2 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine. It was Rutte’s first meeting with an allied leader since taking over leadership of NATO at the beginning of October.  The two also discussed the strengthening of deterrence and defense, and support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Rutte said NATO “must and will do more” to help Ukraine.  He said Ukraine could be facing its toughest winter since the full-scale Russian invasion began, noting that Russia continues to carry out strikes against critical energy infrastructure. 

Stubb said Finland backs Rutte in his work as NATO chief.   “Finland supports the Secretary General’s work for our common security. Steadfast support for Ukraine is a matter for the entire Alliance and a commitment to everyone’s safety President Stubb said.

Finland President Alexander Stubb at NATO headquarters in Brussels Oct. 8, 2024. (Credit: nato.int) 

Finland became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023. Russia has long opposed the expansion of NATO but there wasn’t much Moscow could do about Finland’s accession. Finland has a 1,340-kilometre (830 mi) border with Russia, which upon accession more than doubled NATO’s pre-existing border with Russia.