NATO chief says Europe has gotten the message on defence
Mark Rutte says European leaders have “gotten the message” after Trump outlined plans to withdraw troops from Germany, urging a stronger European role in NATO.
Europe’s defence response is being framed as a direct answer to Washington after NATO’s secretary-general said European leaders “got the message” from Donald Trump.
Mark Rutte made the remarks ahead of a European Political Community meeting in Armenia, noting disappointment from the US side and arguing that the shift should translate into a stronger NATO with a bigger European role.. He said European leaders heard the message “loud and clear,” adding that more stepping up is now expected.
The subtext is clear: when American policy signals uncertainty, European capitals want to show they can sustain deterrence without waiting for the next change in Washington’s stance.
Rutte’s comments followed Trump’s announcement that the United States plans to withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany, a move that arrived days after Germany’s chancellor said Iran was humiliating the US during negotiations linked to the war.. In parallel, the Pentagon described the troop move as coming from decisions on force posture.
European diplomats reacted sharply to the timing.. The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called the announcement a “surprise,” arguing it reinforced the need to strengthen the European pillar inside NATO.. She also stressed that American troops are tied not only to protecting European interests but also wider American interests.
This matters because force posture decisions can ripple beyond bases and budgets, quickly reshaping planning, readiness, and political leverage across the alliance.
NATO officials said they are working with the US to understand the details of the decision. Separately, criticism of the war tied to Iran has grown in recent weeks, with disruptions to shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz described as adding pressure to the global economy.
Some European leaders have also pushed back on possible military actions.. Spain has refused to allow US attacks to be launched from its airspace or military bases, with its prime minister condemning the war as “unjustified” and a “dangerous military intervention” outside international law.. Trump, in turn, criticized Spain and threatened to end trade ties.
Even so, Rutte said “more and more” European countries are pre-positioning military assets such as minehunters and minesweepers close to the Gulf, describing it as preparation for a “next phase” in the war.. He did not provide further specifics, and European nations have previously said they would not help police the Strait of Hormuz until the conflict ends.
In this context, the discussion in Armenia also centered on defence spending. Multiple European leaders pointed to increasing capabilities and building shared solutions as concerns mount over Trump’s NATO commitment and threats linked to Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
The message from Rutte and other leaders is ultimately about credibility: alliances are tested when uncertainty hits, and public commitments to readiness aim to reassure both partners and rivals.