British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has long expressed his desire to become the next NATO secretary general, but Joe Biden has reportedly opposed it.

The president refused to support Wallace after Britain began training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets without the White House’s permission, the Telegraph reports.

Rishi Sunak pressed the president to back Wallace, but Telegraph sources said Britain’s attempts to form an international coalition to supply F-16s to Ukraine had put an end to the defense secretary’s ambitions, Sky News quoted.

Britain does not own the F-16, while the US controls the aircraft’s export license and has shied away from any moves seen as escalating the conflict since the war began.

Instead, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is Biden’s favorite, the Telegraph reports.

NATO decided to extend Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s term for another year on Tuesday, opting to stick with an experienced leader as the war tears at the alliance’s doorstep rather than trying to agree on a successor.

Jens Stoltenberg Photo: snapshot-photography/F Boillot/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister, has led the transatlantic security alliance since 2014, and his mandate has been extended three times.

The decision means continuity at the top of NATO, as the 31-member alliance faces the dual task of supporting Ukraine in repelling Moscow’s invasion while avoiding direct conflict between NATO forces and Russia.

Stoltenberg, 64, is widely considered the permanent leader of the alliance and was due to finish his term as secretary general of the Transatlantic Security Alliance at the end of September.

In a tweet, Stoltenberg said that he was honored to decide to extend his mandate until October 1, 2024.