BUCHAREST — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Europe has heard U.S. President Donald Trump’s frustration over limited European support during the Iran war and is taking steps to address it.
Rutte spoke Wednesday, May 13, at a joint news conference in the Romanian capital after the Nine Summit and the Nordic Allies Summit. “My message to the United States is that Europe has heard the message and is acting on it,” he said. “We are working on this together.” Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Polish President Karol Nawrocki also attended the news conference.
Rutte said European allies were working in two areas to meet Washington’s demands: fulfilling existing bilateral commitments and preparing for a possible mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz. “NATO 3.0 means a stronger Europe and a stronger NATO,” he said. “And a stronger Europe and NATO means combined strength with the United States.”
Backing Rutte, Dan said European countries were moving toward proportional contributions to NATO. After Trump’s objections over burden-sharing, Europe had become more aware of the issue, he said.
“Europe has understood,” Dan said. “We are already on the path to NATO 3.0. The 3.5 plus 1.5 percent spending target has been set for 2035, and we are on track to meet it.”
Frustrated with European allies’ response to the Iran war, Trump earlier announced the withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany. He also expressed doubt about whether U.S. arms supplies to Ukraine would continue after the Iran war. In response, NATO’s eastern member states have begun pressing to host U.S. troops on their soil.
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