NATO Secretary General in Münster: Keep calm, carry on, and support Ukraine

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On Thursday (1 October 2026), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte travelled to Münster to visit the 1st German-Netherlands Corps together with the German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the Prime Minster of the Netherlands Rob Jetten.

The Secretary General thanked the German Federal Chancellor and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands for their resolve. The First German-Netherlands Corps counts as best example of “European Allies stepping up and doing more for the defence of this part of NATO territory. A stronger Europe in a stronger NATO,” Mr Rutte emphasised.

As a warfighting headquarters, where 16 NATO nations work together side-by-side, it is capable of commanding an international force of 50,000 soldiers in the defence of Estonia and Latvia.

Later that day Mr Rutte received on behalf of NATO the 2026 International Award of the Peace of Westphalia by the Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe.

At the award ceremony at the Historic Town Hall in Münster, Mr Rutte highlighted the honour of receiving “this prize on behalf of NATO, and all the incredible people that make up the Alliance. They are the ones – civilian and military – doing the hard work every day to keep our one billion people across Europe and North America safe.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz and the Chairman of WWL, Dr. Reinhard Zinkann

“For over 75 years, NATO’s mission has been to prevent war, protect Allied territory and populations, and preserve the peace. And that is what we continue to do every day. In the face of real and lasting dangers, we are redoubling our efforts to build stronger defences. Faster and together,” Mr Rutte said.

Describing the growing list of malign hybrid attacks across Europe, and in the light of Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, the Secretary General’s message was clear: “Keep calm, carry on, and support Ukraine.”