In a surprising and significant gesture, US President Joe Biden awarded NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
The presentation took place during the opening of the NATO summit.
President Biden addressed Stoltenberg, stating, You put your own plans on hold when the Russian war on Ukraine began,” Biden said. “You didn’t hesitate. Today, NATO is stronger, smarter and more energized than when you began.
He praised Stoltenberg’s leadership, adding that a billion people across Europe and North America will reap the benefits of his work for years to come.
Describing Stoltenberg as a man of “integrity and intellectual rigor,” Biden highlighted his calm demeanor during crises and his skill in navigating political landscapes to achieve consensus among diverse leaders.
Last year, President Biden requested that Stoltenberg extend his tenure as NATO Secretary General for an additional year due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg, who has served as NATO’s Secretary General since 2014 and is the former Prime Minister of Norway, will be succeeded by former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who was officially chosen as the next Secretary General of NATO in late June. Rutte is set to assume his position on October 1.
President Biden himself received the Medal of Freedom when he was Vice President under President Barack Obama. Recently, he has awarded the medal to 19 Americans recognized for their decades of achievements in athletics, politics, and civil rights.
Biden presented the medal to Stoltenberg at the conclusion of his speech, during which he announced that NATO would be donating new air defense systems to Ukraine. This move underscores the alliance’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defenses amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
