Europe Asia News

Speaking to the German Press Agency, Rutte said: “I am absolutely convinced that the United States fully stands behind NATO. There is no doubt about this,” adding that the EU does not need to seek full defense independence from the United States.

Rutte stressed that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security, including increasing defense spending, but that this should be done together with the United States and not outside the transatlantic framework. He said the U.S. would continue its military presence in Europe and remain committed to the alliance.

Rutte’s remarks were a direct response to recent comments by European People’s Party leader Manfred Weber, who questioned whether Europe can continue to rely on Washington amid political uncertainty in the United States. In an interview with Funke Media Group, Weber said Europe should be prepared to act more autonomously.

Weber said, “We cannot seriously expect Trump to deliver a peace solution on his own with American troops,” and called for European soldiers to operate under the European flag as part of future security arrangements in Ukraine.

This exchange took place amid a broader debate on strategic autonomy in Europe, as the EU increases defense spending and prepares for a more unstable geopolitical environment. While many leaders agree that Europe needs to do more militarily, Rutte warned against framing these efforts as a break from NATO.

He noted that most of the economic and military power of the defense alliance is still located outside the EU, above all in the United States, making transatlantic cooperation indispensable.