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Rutte Says Europe Cannot Defend Itself Without U.S. as Greenland Talks Split Into Two Tracks

The remarks crystallize the post‑Greenland debate over Europe's reliance on U.S. power.

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The world is “witnessing the self-immolation of a superpower” via Trump’s trade wars and territorial aggressiveness
The Ambassador Bridge, where $400 billion in trade crosses between Canada and the U.S. each year, in Windsor, Canada, on Feb. 1, 2025. (Ian Willms/The New York Times)
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Overview

  • Addressing EU lawmakers, NATO chief Mark Rutte said Europe cannot currently defend itself without U.S. support and its nuclear umbrella.
  • He argued true independence would require roughly 10% of GDP in defense spending and developing a European nuclear deterrent, far above the 5% target for 2035.
  • Rutte rejected proposals for a standalone European army as duplicative and counterproductive, saying it would weaken Europe and delight Vladimir Putin.
  • He affirmed the U.S. commitment to NATO’s Article 5 as total and credited President Trump with driving higher allied spending after a Greenland standoff that Trump has since de‑escalated.
  • On Greenland, Rutte outlined two workstreams: a NATO effort to assume more Arctic defense responsibility and separate U.S.–Denmark–Greenland discussions, prompting French officials to press for a stronger European pillar within NATO.