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NATO chief says Europeans have ‘gotten the message’ from Trump on defence
TL;DR
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte states that European leaders have understood the message from President Trump regarding defense commitments, following the announcement of a withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany. Rutte emphasized that Europeans are stepping up to take on a bigger role within NATO.
Key points
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte comments on European leaders' response to Trump
- Trump plans to withdraw 5,000 US soldiers from Germany
- Rutte notes disappointment from the US side regarding NATO support
- Europeans are taking on a bigger role in NATO
- Troop withdrawal follows German Chancellor's remarks on US negotiations
Mentioned in this story
Mark RutteDonald TrumpFriedrich MerzNATOGermanyArmenia
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says European leaders have “gotten the message” after United States President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany.
Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with NATO allies, accusing them of not doing enough to support the US-Israel war on Iran. Speaking on Monday, Rutte acknowledged “disappointment from the US side”.
“European leaders have gotten the message. They heard the message loud and clear,” Rutte said before a European Political Community meeting in Armenia.
“Europeans are stepping up, a bigger role for Europe and a stronger NATO,” he added.
The Pentagon announced the troop withdrawal from Germany on Friday, days after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Iran was humiliating the US during the negotiations aimed at ending the war.
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called the announcement’s timing a “surprise”.
“I think it shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in NATO, and we have to really do more,” Kallas said while stressing that “American troops are not in Europe only for protecting European interests but also American interests.”
Over the weekend, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said officials in the 32-nation military alliance “are working with the US to understand the details of their decision on force posture in Germany”.
‘Dangerous military intervention’
European criticism of the war on Iran has mounted in recent weeks as the conflict sends shockwaves through the global economy due to the continued disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week, Merz compared the war to previous military quagmires, such as the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It is, at the moment, a pretty tangled situation,” he said. “And it is costing us a great deal of money. This conflict, this war against Iran, has a direct impact on our economic output.”
Spain has refused to let the US launch attacks on Iran from its airspace or military bases. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has condemned the war as “unjustified” and a “dangerous military intervention” outside the realm of international law.
In response, Trump called Spain “terrible” and threatened to end all trade ties.
Q&A
What did NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte say about European leaders and Trump?
Mark Rutte stated that European leaders have 'gotten the message' from Trump regarding defense commitments.
Why is the US withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany?
The withdrawal is part of President Trump's frustration with NATO allies for not doing enough to support the US-Israel war on Iran.
How are European leaders responding to the US troop withdrawal?
European leaders are reportedly stepping up to take on a bigger role in NATO, as acknowledged by Rutte.
