NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says European leaders have “gotten the message” from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding defence and are responding by “stepping up.” Speaking Monday ahead of talks with European leaders in Armenia, Rutte linked the message to Trump’s reported frustration over the Iran war.
The comments come after Washington announced it will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, a move that has renewed attention on European security burdens and NATO planning. Rutte said that, in his view, Europeans are increasing their efforts to address security challenges, particularly those linked to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
According to the outlets, Rutte’s remarks were made in the context of a European Political Community meeting expected to focus on these two security threats. While the reporting centers on Rutte’s assessment of European readiness and cooperation, the common thread across sources is the claim that European leaders are taking cues from the U.S. position and adjusting their defence posture accordingly.
