Officially, Jens Stoltenberg’s term as NATO Secretary General ends in September. Now, as reported by several Norwegian media, U.S. President Joe Biden is said to have asked him to stay in office for another year. “According to DN’s sources, Stoltenberg was asked directly by President Joe Biden in February to stay on. But Stoltenberg insisted that he resign from office,” reports, for example, the Norwegian newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN). “But when the NATO chief was at the White House on Tuesday, the alliance’s most powerful country made it clear: This time, the American president would not take no for an answer.”
Throughout the Ukraine war, the 64-year-old Stoltenberg distinguished himself as firm, yet at the same time calm and unexcitingly reliable. Without unnecessary provocations, he was able to establish NATO in a new, strengthened and expanded position. Especially in this difficult global political situation, the U.S. president is reluctant to put a new face at the helm of NATO. Already, however, Stoltenberg is the longest-serving NATO secretary general. He could then celebrate his 10th anniversary in office in 2024.
Dorothee Frank, Head of editorial team
