“I’m not here to comment—but to preserve unity,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, responding to a question about Turkey’s declared casus belli against Greece.
The question was posed by a Turkish journalist during a press engagement, referencing Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ remarks on Ankara’s longstanding declaration of a casus belli—a formal justification for war—regarding Aegean maritime disputes.
Rutte emphasized that in a 32-member alliance like NATO, bilateral disagreements and sensitive issues are inevitable. “I’ve said this before on other matters: sometimes allies have differences. This is a coalition of 32 partners—so bilateral discussions are expected. I’m not here to express personal opinions or publicly comment on such issues. My role is to preserve the Alliance’s unity—and that’s what I strive to do in the best possible way,” he stated.
The Secretary General added that while tensions or disagreements may arise among allies, he deliberately refrains from public commentary to maintain space for behind-the-scenes diplomacy—enabling constructive dialogue and solutions where needed.