Ben Wallace, pictured here with Lloyd Austin at the NATO Defense Ministers' Meeting, has repeatedly expressed his ambition to become Secretary General of the Alliance Photo: Olivier Matthys/EPA -EFE/Shutterstock
Joe Biden did the UK a 'disservice' by blocking Ben Wallace's candidacy to head NATO, government sources said.
The defense minister was the favorite of many member states to succeed Jens Stoltenberg, to the current secretary-general, later this year.
But Mr. Wallace acknowledged on Wednesday that his bid to take over the reins, which he has repeatedly stated publicly, is now “not going to happen.”
Wallace's allies have since told The Telegraph they believe his ambitions were thwarted after the US president refused to back his bid to become the next secretary general of the military alliance.
Government sources have suggested that there is now concern that neglect could harm the special relationship.
It now seems likely that Mr Stoltenberg, the former Prime Minister of Norway, will be asked to postpone his retirement, originally set for the end of this year, by 12 months.
A government source said: “We should be their closest ally. And here's what we get.
“That's what it is…but it's bad for British-American relations.
“They hurt the UK with their preference for this lady from Denmark.”
p>Danish PM 'failed interview'
The US President is said to have initially favored Mette Frederiksen, the Socialist Prime Minister from Denmark. Denmark, supported by France and Germany.
However, one source said he lost interest in her after she failed to impress him during a visit to Washington earlier this month.
Mette Frederiksen didn't seem to impress Joe Biden. Credit: EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
NATO's Secretary General presides over meetings of alliance leaders, handles diplomacy and oversees his army of 4,000 officials in Brussels.
Wallace's candidacy was popular with members due to his important UK role in bolstering NATO's resolve in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, and Rishi Sunak, current occupant of No. him with all his might.
However, he has had to face an uphill struggle, given that European leaders, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, are actively lobbying for an EU state representative to be the next boss.
The Telegraph understands Mr Biden's decision, not approval Wallace's candidacy proved to be the final nail in the coffin and led to the secretary of defense pulling out of the race.
Digital officials in Whitehall were “greatly disappointed” by the US decision, which they fear will sent the wrong signal to the Allies by neglecting the British candidate.
The UK is one of seven military 31 members of the bloc met its defense spending target of 2% of GDP last year.
Out of 31 members, only the US, UK, Greece, Poland and the Baltic countries spend more than two percent percent, but several large countries are lagging behind. Germany, France and Italy were below the target last year.
A government source said: “We better keep an eye on the future of NATO as there may be more countries looking to drop the 2% commitment.”
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It is possible that the problem may also occur. a sharp decline in United States support in the UK on other international issues, including Washington's harsh stance on Taiwan independence.
Whitehall sources suggested that the Danish premier's support dried up when “she failed an interview” during a visit to Washington .
A source close to Mr. Wallace agreed with this assessment, noting: “Now is not the time for amateurs.”
Profile | Ben Wallace
By then, however, Wallace's candidacy had already been damaged.
Rather than reverting to Wallace's candidacy, Biden is believed to have persuaded leading European allies such as France and Germany to agree to delay the replacement decision for a year .
The Minister of Defense enjoyed support in the countries of Eastern Europe, who appreciated the support of the UK against Russian aggression, but were rejected by Paris and Berlin.
“In their opinion, if it is a European, then it should be someone from the EU, so as not to contradict the Brexit arguments and the growing role of the EU in security,” said one of the sources.
“ It’s not only France but also many countries. EU leaders, foreign ministers and defense ministers meet very regularly, so not to participate in this, in their opinion, would be suboptimal.” ” />
A government source accused the French and German governments of “trying” to prevent Mr Wallace from succeeding Mr Stoltenberg and suggested that the UK did not receive proper support from the US over the NATO post.
There was surprise when Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, was recently asked if his country would support Mr. Wallace.
“The United States does not support any candidate,” he replied.
Marc François, former secretary of the armed forces, said: “Ben Wallace was and still is an excellent secretary of defense, as evidenced by his very skillful response to the war in Ukraine.”
“It would be a great shame if national politicking within NATO deprived the organization of a potentially highly qualified secretary general.”
Washington is now trying to convince Mr. Stoltenberg, who has been in office for almost nine years. and planned to retire this summer to stay for another 12 months.
Jens Stoltenberg could now remain in NATO Secretary General for another year. Photo: Axel Heimcken/AFP via Getty Images
A senior European diplomat said the move was widely supported given the desire to avoid a public brawl between allies when “there is no single candidate.”
Many allies want the first time to appoint a woman to the highest position in NATO and believe that such a high-ranking position should only go to the former head of government.
Kaya Kallas, the current Some support the Estonian Prime Minister, but she is opposed by Paris and Berlin, who consider her too hawkish towards Russia.
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