Overview
- Rutte asked President Trump for time on Thursday, saying Europe needed space to coordinate after the United States kept its Iran campaign secret to avoid leaks.
- Roughly 30 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, are now coordinating on how to keep shipping through the Strait of Hormuz open.
- NATO’s annual report records a 20% rise in 2025 defense spending by European allies and Canada, with all members reporting at least the 2% of GDP floor.
- Rutte praised Spain for reaching 2% yet said meeting NATO capability goals will likely require about 3.5% of GDP for Spain, which Madrid disputes at roughly 2.1–2.2%.
- Support to Ukraine continues through the Purl program, which channels U.S.-made Patriot interceptors and other air-defense munitions funded by Europeans, and Rutte urged Europe to expand production lines.