NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte declared that the Alliance is working closely with the United States to ensure it continues to "provide strength and security", in posts on his official X (formerly Twitter) account following critical meetings with U.S. leadership on Thursday.

Key Engagements:

1. White House Meeting

   • Attended by:

     • President Donald Trump

     • Secretary of State Marco Rubio

     • Secretary of Defense Pete Higgins

     • National Security Advisor Mike Waltz

   • Rutte's statement: "An excellent meeting with the President and his team – Rubio, Higgins, and Waltz."

2. Pentagon Discussion

   • With Defense Secretary Pete Higgins

   • Focus: Making NATO "stronger and fairer"

   • Highlight: "Europe and Canada are increasing defense spending, and we're all boosting industrial capacity."

Strategic Context:

• Addresses allies' concerns about potential U.S. disengagement under Trump

• Follows Trump's repeated demands for higher defense spending from NATO members

• Comes amid ongoing debates about Article 5 commitments

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