NATO chief "Trump Leadership, Key to Strong Alliance"

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutter was quick to congratulate former U.S. President Donald Trump when he was virtually confirmed to return to power.

"Trump's leadership will once again be key to keeping our alliance strong," Rutter said on social media on the 6th local time. "I congratulated Trump on being elected."

"Through NATO, the U.S. has an ally and alliance of 31 countries that will advance its interests and help keep Americans safe," it said in a separate statement.

He also praised former President Trump for showing strong leadership during his tenure, saying, "It changed the flow of defense spending in Europe during Trump's term, improved cost sharing, and strengthened the alliance's capabilities."

Regarding North Korea's deployment to Russia, which is at war with Ukraine, Rutter called it a "very serious development and escalation of tensions."

On Ukraine's NATO membership issue, he said the bilateral security agreement signed by Ukraine was "a stepping stone to NATO membership from a long-term perspective" and "I am confident that Ukraine will one day become a NATO member."