NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte recently expressed his support for U.S. President Donald Trump following Trump’s military actions against Iran. Rutte praised Trump’s "decisive action" in a text message that Trump shared on his Truth Social platform. This exchange took place just before a NATO summit in The Hague, where discussions about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East were anticipated to be a major topic.
In the message, Rutte congratulated Trump for his actions in Iran, calling them extraordinary and highlighting how they contribute to global safety. He also noted that NATO allies are now on board with a significant increase in defense spending, aiming for a target of five percent of GDP. This is a notable jump from the previous two percent target set in 2014.
Rutte seemed unfazed by Trump’s decision to publicize their private conversation. He told reporters that there was nothing in the message that needed to remain confidential. The text indicated that Trump’s leadership is seen as pivotal for both America and Europe, with Rutte suggesting that Trump’s efforts would lead to a historic achievement that previous U.S. presidents had failed to accomplish.
As Trump traveled to Brussels for the summit, he was also working to maintain a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, following recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. He claimed to have persuaded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from further military action against Iran.
The NATO summit is expected to result in a commitment to a new defense spending target. Under the proposed plan, member countries would allocate 3.5 percent of their GDP for core defense needs and an additional 1.5 percent for security-related investments. This increase in spending over the next decade could lead to hundreds of billions of dollars more in defense budgets.
Trump has been vocal about wanting NATO allies to increase their defense budgets, arguing that it would strengthen the alliance. He has previously criticized countries that have not met the spending target, including Canada. When asked about his support for NATO’s Article 5, which commits members to collective defense, Trump suggested that his support depends on how one defines that commitment.
Rutte’s message to Trump and the discussions at the NATO summit reflect the current priorities of the alliance, with a focus on boosting defense spending and addressing security concerns, particularly in light of tensions in the Middle East.