NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte told the BBC that the alliance is stronger than ever, despite President Donald Trump’s abrasive comments during the Ankara summit.
Trump criticized NATO for not joining his war with Iran, calling the US a “wasted cause” for Australia and demanding control over Greenland. Rutte described the situation as a family argument: “It’s a bit like in a family where you never quibble and then it bursts out completely.” The former Dutch prime minister insisted Trump remains committed to NATO, noting that Washington’s strategic missions rely on European bases.
Rutte emphasized NATO’s early‑warning role, pointing out that Russia’s submarine bases on the Arctic coast make northern Europe a critical frontier. He stressed that the alliance protects the United States from potential Russian incursions and that “we prevent that as NATO collectively.”
During the summit, leaders pressed for tangible outcomes, turning pledges into action. European governments increased defence spending, with a quarter of a trillion dollars added over two years. Rutte lauded the progress, noting that the industry must now scale further to meet Russia’s drone and missile threats.
When asked about readiness against a possible Russian incursion, Rutte answered confidently: “We are ready now, in 2030 we are ready, we are defensive and will never attack another country, but every adversary knows we will defend ourselves.”
