Mark Rutte, the new NATO Secretary General, despite threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin, believes there is currently no direct threat of nuclear weapons being used. The statement was made during Tuesday's press conference at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels.

According to the NATO press release, Rutte met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. They held a joint press conference. Read also: Putin questions Russia's readiness for a direct NATO confrontation On Oct.

The Kremlin … has excellent sources,” Rutte said of Russia’s belief that he’s going to be as tough as his predecessor.

BRUSSELS — One of NATO’s longest serving top officials, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, stepped down on Tuesday, handing over the reins to former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the military alliance confronts some of the biggest challenges in its history.

The new Nato chief Mark Rutte has vowed to strengthen Western support for war-ravaged Ukraine as he takes charge of the alliance. The former Dutch prime minister officially replaced Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday as Nato secretary general after his predecessor spent a decade in the job.

NATO's next boss, Mark Rutte, will need all the coalition-building skills he honed as Dutch prime minister to hold the Western alliance together amid war in Ukraine, fears over Moscow's next move and political uncertainty in Washington.

A laid-back people person known for holding firm when things get tough, Dutchman Mark Rutte will need all those skills to lead NATO through one of its most challenging times.

New NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte visits Ukraine in his first trip since taking office and pledging support for Kyiv

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is visiting Kyiv on his first official trip since taking the role.Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrived in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Thursday-- two days after assuming the role of NATO Secretary General.