Mark Rutte says European leaders have responded after Trump announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, urging stronger European defence within NATO.
Europe is pushing harder on defence after a fresh warning from Washington, with NATO’s chief saying leaders have “gotten the message.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte made the remarks after US President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany.. Speaking before a European Political Community meeting in Armenia, Rutte said European leaders heard the message “loud and clear,” adding that the aim is a bigger role for Europe alongside a stronger NATO.
In the same setting, Rutte also pointed to disappointment on the US side, acknowledging that tensions around NATO contributions and Washington’s wider priorities have been growing.
That matters because defence planning in Europe is increasingly being driven by signals from the United States, not just by internal debates about spending and readiness.
The announcement of the troop withdrawal came from the Pentagon on Friday. It followed comments from Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said Iran was humiliating the US during negotiations aimed at ending the war.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the timing of the withdrawal plan came as a surprise, while stressing that strengthening the “European pillar” in NATO is now more urgent.. She also underlined that American troops are present for both European and US interests, not solely for European protection.
Meanwhile, NATO officials said they were working with the US to understand the details of the decision on force posture in Germany. The messaging suggests European capitals are trying to separate what is shifting in the posture from what is expected to remain steady in alliance commitments.
This is significant because force posture decisions can quickly reshape how quickly European governments can respond, especially when regional security risks are already high.
European criticism of the conflict involving Iran has intensified in recent weeks, with shipping disruptions in and around the Strait of Hormuz feeding broader economic concern. Merz previously compared the war’s dynamics to earlier campaigns that proved costly and difficult to unwind.
Several governments have also signaled they do not want to expand military involvement while the war continues.. Spain, for example, has rejected the idea of allowing US strikes from its airspace or military bases, with its prime minister calling the action unjustified and unlawful.. Trump responded by criticizing Spain and threatening to end trade ties.
Against that backdrop, Rutte said more European countries are moving assets such as minehunters and minesweepers closer to the Gulf in preparation for what he called the “next phase.” He did not provide further specifics, and European nations have previously said they would not police the Strait of Hormuz until the war is over.
At the same time, European leaders are framing defence spending increases as a strategic shift.. French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe is taking steps to build its own solutions, while the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, urged stronger military capabilities to defend and protect Europe.
The bottom line is that Europe is trying to convert uncertainty into preparation, using the NATO message to justify faster, more coordinated defence planning.