Rutte says NATO must protect Europe and preserve US’s global power
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Photo: Getty Images)
NATO must protect not only its European allies, but also the continental US, and ensure its decisive role on the global stage, states the Alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Shortly before the NATO summit, to be held in Ankara on July 5-7, Rutte presented a summary of the current state of affairs among the allies.
While still in Washington, where the Secretary General arrived a day earlier on a visit, he outlined the military bloc's obligations to the US.
The Alliance's Secretary General stated that NATO exists not only to defend Europe. NATO also helps protect the continental US and ensures that the US can play its impressive, decisive role on the global stage in terms of projecting American power
Rutte also spoke about the plans for the summit in Ankara, whose main goal is to expand the defense industry and conclude new contracts.
The Secretary General also emphasized that Russia still remains a relevant and long-term threat to NATO, while the military potential of China and North Korea continues to grow.
Rutte believes that an additional risk for the Alliance is the military collaboration among Moscow, Pyongyang, and Beijing.
Mark Rutte's visit to Washington
The NATO Secretary General is currently on a working visit to the US. As reported, during a meeting with President Donald Trump, he tried to please him with praise, which, as is known, greatly impresses the White House chief. In this way, Rutte wanted to reduce tensions between European allies and the US.
The misunderstanding between the US and the Alliance arose due to the European allies' refusal to help Trump in the military campaign against Iran. This refers, in particular, to the reluctance of several countries to deploy their contingents to the Strait of Hormuz to resolve the escalation in the region.
The US President recently listed what he considers the worst US allies in Europe. These are Germany, Britain, and France.
