en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_...

Yup

Rutte knows how to kiss @ss. At least we now know for sure that they have been spewing BS abt international order; law; etc and it only took one man Trump to expose them who they r.

I cannot watch his sucking up to Trump but fair is fair, it is his job, it is a dirty job, and he knows it, but it is a job that needs to be doing. National leaders should stand up to Trump, but Rutte cannot really, he needs to keep NATO working towards the right direction.

bsky.app/profile/jofr...

The problem is what works for NATO and Ukraine doesn't work for tariffs. On tariffs the RotW need to tell Trump that they will mirror any tariff rise USA makes, and then he will back down because he won't be able to afford his policy

'Ball-gargling' diplomacy has always been a thing.

Glad he wants to set aside his own ego for the greater cause.

Indeed. Glad the reasonable people can spot this. Given trump takes things personally often, its smart to simply focus on coalitions of agreement on topics, and not back bite when a potential partner goes the other way on other topics. Its how coalitions and parties function best. Ruttes specialty.

He takes one for the team.Well done Sir.

Rutte is speaking to an audience of one.

Exactly, this is why this is on Fox News

That was painful. I hope such self abnegation is worth it.

Rutte is nit elected politician, so he can do it.

For european politician this would be political suicide.

Or Canada too. 😁

But there is the small matter of his self respect.

He knows there are people out there in Ukraine, literally getting killed for us, so I don't think your self-respect is useful to him.🤷‍♀️

I am not wondering about my self respect, I am worrying about his, prostituting himself like that. Because of exactly what you said.

But that’s the rhing. Whats more important, the self respect of one man or the interim security of Europe and Ukraine? I hope most would take a hit to their self respect than giving in to your ego and risking the potentially catastrophic consequences. This is literally a “taking one for the team”

I hope that’s his motivation.

Rutte was famous for this in the Netherlands, I believe. He's been instrumental in moving Trump towards a better outcome on russia, and that can't be underestimated

.... and start paying attention, because he is pursuing a goal which is not necessarily in your benefit. Is that what you're trying to say? 🤔

Rutte is doing exactly the job he was hired for. NATO protects a billion people.

Since Rutte was one of the only people there without voters who would be outraged by sycophancy, I think he did well. 😁

Exactly.

But not Ukraine. #CloseTheSkies

Isn't this a kind of 'disordered discourse' though? Yes it is intended for an audience of one, but when these positions are broadcast universally it is easy for me to imagine unintended (and pretty bad) consequences as well.

Anybody who's ever done business with the Dutch knows exactly what Rutte is doing.

It makes you want to barf.

Setting aside his own ego for the greater cause bsky.app/profile/jofr...

It is still nauseating.

This. So many people don’t see what Rutte is doing. Mark has put his own ego aside to make it possible to get to his goals: keeping NATO together. And delivering the urgently needed weapons to Ukraine so the Ukrainian people can defend themselves.

Rutte can choose for his pride, his ego. But I’m not sure how that would bring in any results. Feel free to lecture me if you think there are better ways to do this.

Actually it's so extremely obvious that I doubt that anyone doesn't see what he's doing. Probably even Trump, but he just doesn't care because he's the vainest person on the planet.

It's probably necessary but it's still embarrassing.

He doesn't have to worry about elections anymore. He's doing just great. Be greatfull he is setting aside his own ego. bsky.app/profile/jofr...

Took a step back and asked myself: embarrassing to whom?

To the entire same planet. To anyone not brainwashed into the fucking cult of mandarine moron

So far, appeasement and self-abasement have not produced meaningful results. Those who indulged in the game permanently degraded themselves. Worse, NATO is slipping back into a state of complacency.

A masterful display of sycophantic toadying which may not reflect his thoughts behind the smile.

This is embarrassing even for a diplomat

bsky.app/profile/jofr...

Mark Rutte is very good at diplomacy

You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Bullshit works better than honey.

🤣🙄

Very true.

Yes, this is diplomatic flattery. But don’t be fooled by Rutte and his forever smile: as prime minister he destroyed the Netherlands social security and mental health care systems, dismantled privacy laws, and fueled racism in favor of multinationals, shareholders, and the rich. A true kapitalist.

📍

Door Rutte gaat het ook heel erg slecht met Nederland. Gelukkig gaat het dankzij Geert nu weer stukken beter.

Wilders, van hetzelfde laken een pak. De VVD en de PVV schelen bitter weinig in hun beleidsmatige keuzes.

It’s called buttering his butt

Ass-kissing him into thinking NATO is his buddy is brilliant, but so cringe-worthy. NATO members can focus on the harsher truths and play the "bad" guy, while Rutte is "good".

I fundamentally disagree. He is destroying what little credibility his institution has, and debasing the people he is supposed to represent. Trump is one of the biggest threats to the citizens of NATO democracies, he needs to be combated, but Rutte is actively encouraging him.

Rutte should be helping NATO countries to decouple from the US, instead he is urging them to accept vassalage to the new Trump emperial regime.

Rutte is playing him like a good’n. Just like everyone else who knows how to. Putin and Bibi included.

beautifully done

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He’s been our PM in NL (for far too long imo) and -regardless of what we think of it- this is why he was put forward as NATO’s SG. His nickname was “Teflon Mark”… hope that explains some 😉

If people paid attention they’d realise Rutte has been one of the few leaders to master handling Trump and Trump keeps his usually bully boy bullshit to a minimum around Rutte.

I'd argue that Starmer is a close second to Rutte in his ability to handle Trump. It comes across as sucking up (which it is to an extent) but it's effective. Definitely preferable to crossing him right now. The time for that will come soon enough.

bsky.app/profile/jofr...

It is, however, funny that it is a Dutch person having to be this diplomatic. The man is dying inside with every politely-pulled punch.

Rutte is powered entirely by ambition. He won't mind one bit.

He doesn't have to worry about elections anymore. Setting aside his own ego. bsky.app/profile/jofr...

The cost of calling him Daddy is 0€

Absolutely. Like are people expecting him to go on *Fox News* and just unload on Trump like a BlueSky replies section? I guess that might make you feel good, but think through the second and third order effects of that decision, in practical terms.

Sometimes you have to eat a shit sandwich

Machiavelli is still read quite widely in Europe if not in America

A pragmatic and diplomatic approach!? How DARE you, sir!

Bro got the result he wanted using the instruments he had.

Bigly.