WASHINGTON — During a meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte commended President Donald Trump for his efforts in urging NATO members to increase their defense expenditures. This comes amid discussions regarding the United States’ dedication to the transatlantic alliance and its mutual defense commitments.
Rutte expressed gratitude for Trump’s encouragement to enhance defense spending amongst alliance members and stated, “I believe they are eager to collaborate with you in the lead-up to the next summit to ensure a reinvigorated NATO under your leadership.” His remarks follow the European Commission’s recent appeal for 800 billion euros ($874 billion) in increased defense investments by the 27-member group, along with recent commitments by the United Kingdom and Germany to boost their defense budgets.
“The changes seen in recent weeks are truly remarkable,” Rutte said, although he acknowledged there is still room for the alliance to improve.
Previously, Trump criticized NATO members last week for failing to meet a defense expenditure target of 2% of their gross domestic product. He also cast doubt on the United States’ obligation to NATO’s mutual defense clause, which asserts that an attack against one member is an attack against all.
NATO’s previous Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg noted last year that a record number of 23 out of 32 member countries had attained the alliance’s defense spending target.
Trump, on Thursday, reiterated taking credit for more member countries achieving the spending benchmark due to his earlier threats, while also conveying that the 2% GDP spending threshold remains insufficient. Stoltenberg acknowledged Trump’s influence in urging member countries to elevate their defense budgets.
“I simply told them that we won’t participate if they don’t contribute financially,” Trump recounted. “Subsequently, funds began to flow in, and all became significantly stronger due to my actions.”
Furthermore, the discussion between the two leaders encompassed a U.S. proposal advocating for a 30-day ceasefire concerning Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Special envoy Steve Witkoff was in Moscow on Thursday for talks with high-level officials on the proposed ceasefire.
Trump expressed cautious optimism regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s earlier statement on Thursday, indicating potential openness towards a ceasefire under specific conditions.
Trump reaffirmed his willingness to communicate with Putin but stressed the importance of concluding the war.
“He (Putin) issued a statement promising yet incomplete,” Trump mentioned. “We must now see if Russia will respond accordingly. Should they not, it would represent a significant letdown on a global scale.”
