Trump Predicted To Win The US Presidential Election, NATO Secretary General Rutte: His Leadership Is The Key To Keeping The Alliance Strong

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. (Source: NATO)

JAKARTA - Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte congratulated Donald Trump on Wednesday, as it was predicted to be elected president of the United States, stressing members are increasing their military spending, in response to Trump's persistent criticism of the Western alliance.

"I just congratulated Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States," Rutte wrote on Twitter, as quoted November 6.

"His leadership will again be the key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through power through NATO," he continued.

In the past, Donald Trump has criticized NATO, accusing European members of spending too little money on defense.

During his election campaign, Trump has repeatedly said the US will help protect NATO members from Russian attacks in the future only if European members spend more money.

I just congratulated @realDonaldTrump on his election as President of the United States. His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through #NATO.

— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) November 6, 2024

I just coordinated @realDonaldTrump on his election as President of the United States. His leadership will again be key to keep our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through #NATO.

In a longer statement, Rutte said "two-thirds of the Allies are now spending at least 2 percent of their GDP on defense, and defense spending and production are on track that continues to advance across the Alliance".

He added, "via NATO, the US has 31 friends", while showing the challenges facing the military alliance, by referring to, among others, "the strengthening of the Chinese alliance, Russia, North Korea and Iran".

"Cooperating through NATO helps prevent aggression, protects our collective security, and supports our economy", he said.

Trump, who is paired with JD Vance of the Republican Party, is competing against Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 United States presidential election which will be held starting yesterday.

Trump, a Republican candidate to claim victory after Fox News projected he defeated Harris of the Democratic Party, closing a stunning political revival four years after he left the White House.

"America has given us an unprecedented and strong mandate," he said on Wednesday morning to a cheery crowd of supporters at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, flanked by his vice presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance, Republican leaders and members of Trump's family.

Other news media have yet to announce election results for Trump, but he appears to have almost won after taking control of the fighting states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia and taking the lead in four other states, according to Edison Research.

Based on Fox News' fast count, Trump, who is paired with JD Vance, is predicted to have 277 electoral votes. Meanwhile, Harris, who is paired with the Walz Team, received 226 electoral votes. Meanwhile, citing the Associated Press, Trump has so far managed to pocket 267 electoral votes, while Harris gets 224 electoral votes. Both require a minimum of 270 electoral votes to win the 2024 US presidential election.