Overview
- In a new interview, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said he does not expect the United States to leave the alliance and called for a stronger Europe inside a stronger NATO.
- Rutte described a recent White House meeting with President Donald Trump, said he understands U.S. frustration over uneven burden-sharing, and said he stressed how the alliance also benefits the United States.
- He pointed to higher defense outlays by Europe and Canada, citing an increase of about 20 percent last year and the Hague goal that allies work toward spending 5 percent of GDP on defense by 2035.
- Rutte set priorities to expand Europe’s arms industry, including faster development and higher output of drones and ammunition, with these production plans expected to lead the agenda at the July NATO summit in Ankara.
- He praised Germany as a model for allies, backed deeper Berlin–Kyiv work on drones and missiles, and urged banks and pension funds to invest in defense firms to help scale production.