Stoltenberg's leadership in NATO may be extended until the spring of 2024

The term of office of Norwegian economist Jens Stoltenberg as Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been extended until spring due to concerns about the instability of Western policy in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg, however, does not intend to extend his term of office, which expires on September 30, 2023. This is reported by the German newspaper Die Zeit, citing the words of the representative of the alliance, Oana Lungeska. “He has no intention of seeking another mandate extension,” she said.

Stoltenberg has already renewed his powers three times, having served as general secretary for almost nine years. However, according to the newspaper Welt am Sonntag, there is an informal agreement among the NATO countries, which implies the extension of Stoltenberg's powers until the spring of 2024. According to diplomatic sources, this is done so that in April he could chair the summit in Washington on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of NATO. In addition, the “outstanding NATO services” rendered by Stoltenberg were taken into account, especially against the backdrop of the Ukrainian conflict.

According to the interlocutors of the newspaper, after the termination of Stoltenberg's powers, he has a good chance of becoming president of the World Bank. Last November, The New York Times reported that a behind-the-scenes fight had begun at NATO over who should replace Stoltenberg after his term expires. It was noted that among the possible and main candidates is Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland (of Ukrainian origin), who previously held the post of Foreign Minister of the country. In March, the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance extended Stoltenberg's mandate until September 30, 2023. Then he pointed to the biggest security crisis in the world and stressed the importance of maintaining the unity of the alliance.