Former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte assumed leadership of NATO on Tuesday, becoming secretary general of the world’s most powerful military alliance. By opting for the veteran Dutch statesman – a staunch ally of the United States and stalwart supporter of Ukraine – NATO’s 32 nations picked a leader who is expected to keep pushing for support for Kiev, as well as for efforts to bolster the alliance’s own defences against Russia. In an unannounced visit to Kiev on Thursday, Rutte reiterated the alliance’s continued support to Ukraine and vowed “to make crystal clear” to all observers that NAT…