NATO will stay 'strong' whoever wins French election: Rutte

NATO chief Mark Rutte said Thursday that the alliance would remain "strong" whoever wins next year's presidential election in member state France.

Polls show that far-right leader Marine Le Pen -- who has questioned France's role in NATO and support for Ukraine -- has her best shot of winning the presidency.

"The elections in France will be in May next year, and again, whatever the outcome, NATO is there, will stay together, will stay strong," Rutte told a meeting of German diplomats in Berlin.

"I have every confidence that whoever is elected in whichever election will stay the course when it comes to the key elements of investing in defence, making sure Ukraine will not lose this war."

The NATO chief said the alliance should not be "naive" over the menace from Russia in the face of calls to reach an accommodation with President Vladimir Putin.

"This is long-term. It is a threat," he said.

The comments came as well against the backdrop of the crushing election victory of Germany's far-right AfD in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, a result that has rocked the country political status quo.

"It's not up to me to comment on national politics," Rutte said.

He said that NATO would work with "whoever is elected" to lead its 32 member states.

Rutte, who served as prime minister of the Netherlands for over a decade, said that politics was a "combat sport" and advised governments in general to stick to reforms they see as necessary to boost the economy.

"Staying the course is always the best," he said.