Nato welcomes new Supreme Allied Commander Europe to deal with increasingly unstable world

Nato's chief Mark Rutte has attended a change of command ceremony in Mons in Belgium as the US Air Force's General Alexus G Grynkwich became Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).

Gen Grynkewich has taken over from the US Army's General Chris Cavoli, who has been in the post for the past three years.

Mr Rutte praised Gen Cavoli for modernising Nato's collective defence and for his work dealing with the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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The former Prime Minister of the Netherlands noted that Gen Cavoli had strengthened Nato's presence in the Baltic Sea, to deter and defend against threats targeting allies' critical undersea infrastructure, as well as creating and building Nato's new command in Germany during his time as SACEUR.

"You have been an outstanding SACEUR, leading with honour and integrity," Mr Rutte said.

The Nato Secretary General said that Gen Grynkewich, a former fighter pilot, has "a deep understanding of the threats we face from the skies, and across other domains".

Gen Grynkewich, who is currently working as the Director of Operations of the Joint Staff, is seen as someone with a wide range of experience in getting results in military and security priorities against an unstable global climate.

"I know Nato can count on you to serve with the same steadfast resolve as your predecessors," the Secretary General added.

The Allied Command Operations is responsible for the planning and execution of all Nato operations.

Gen Grynkewich will become the 21st SACEUR.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first person to occupy this position, before going on to be the US President from 1953 to 1961.