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Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte took over as NATO's Secretary-General on Tuesday, succeeding Norway's Jens Stoltenberg, who has led the alliance for 10 years.

At the handover event, Rutte stated that as Secretary-General, he would focus on three goals, the first of which is to bolster the security and capabilities of NATO countries while guaranteeing the security of its partners.

"Second priority is to step up our support for Ukraine and bring it ever closer to NATO because there can be no lasting security in Europe without a strong, independent Ukraine," Rutte added.

NATO, whose members have provided 99% of foreign military aid to Ukraine, pledged at a summit in July to enhance its role in delivering those arms, a responsibility Rutte will be central to overseeing.

Rutte stated that the third objective of his tenure would be to expand NATO relationships with the EU and other nations that share shared interests and values.

Earlier, during his joint doorstep with Stoltenberg, Rutte stated that NATO's primary objective to "make sure that we defend our people, our nations, and, of course, our values" will not be altered.

"We have to make sure that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent, democratic nation," he added, emphasizing the importance of NATO's collective defense.

Both Stoltenberg and Rutte voiced alarm about the escalation in Lebanon and hoped for regional calm.

In his farewell message, Stoltenberg advised Rutte that his greatest challenge would be managing NATO's diverse and occasionally fractious leadership.

"That's a big family, a great family, but sometimes what is a challenge, to keep them all happy at the same time," Stoltenberg said in his final address.

Borrell admits Ukraine will have to surrender if not for US, EU aid

Ukraine will be forced to surrender in the war with Russia without the assistance of the United States and the European Union, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said on Friday.

Borrell stressed the "crucial role" that the EU and US play in Ukraine, saying, "Without us, Ukraine would have to surrender."

The European official made these remarks during a meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

In the same context, Borrell said the US and EU cannot determine when a final resolution for the conflict will be reached.

Meanwhile, former US President and Republican candidate for the upcoming presidential election, Donald Trump, said ahead of a meeting with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky that the war has to come to an end at some point.