Military expert, specialist in interethnic conflicts and director of the Center for Strategic Studies of the South Caucasus Evgeny Mikhailov expressed the opinion that the post of NATO Secretary General after the departure of Jens Stoltenberg could be taken by the head of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen or British Defense Minister Ben Wallace. He said this in an interview with Ura.ru.

Mikhailov believes that the candidacy of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for the post of NATO Secretary General cannot be taken seriously, and the same applies to Canadian Finance Minister Chrysti Freeland. In this regard, according to the expert, the main confrontation will take place between von der Leyen and Wallace.

At the same time, Mikhailov expressed doubt that the head of the EC would be able to cope with the role of Secretary General, since she did not have enough professional experience. However, according to him, Wallace is also not suitable for this position due to a lack of professionalism, but the fact that he is a man, according to a military expert, gives him an advantage.

Earlier, The Sun wrote that the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, could lead NATO after the resignation of Jens Stoltenberg. It was noted that Stoltenberg's term of office expires in September 2023.

Later, RIA Novosti reported, citing sources, that the term of office of the current Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance could be extended, as key NATO members positively assess his approach to the situation in Ukraine.