British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, when asked by The Economist journalist whether he will lead NATO, replied that it will not happen.
That is, the British minister announced that he is withdrawing from the race for the position of the head of the Alliance, while last month Wallace said: "This is a job I would like. But I also love the work Iʼm doing now."
The Economist suggests that Wallace still failed to win the support of key allies, although he gained popularity on the eastern flank of the Alliance for leading the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
- The US President Joe Biden called Benn Wallace "very qualified" for the job during a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Washington.
- However, it is believed that the USA insists that the current Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg should remain in office for one more year. The Financial Times wrote that NATO leaders are also inclined to extend the term of office of Jens Stoltenberg. The Alliance had difficulties in finding a candidate who would satisfy all 31 members of the alliance.