The new head of NATO, Mark Rutte, and President Donald Trump share a common stance that European member states should increase their defense spending. Rutte acknowledged Trump’s efforts in pushing NATO nations to contribute more towards military support, highlighting a significant increase in defense commitments by European countries. Trump emphasized the importance of fair burden-sharing among NATO allies, noting that his firm stance led to a rise in contributions. The visit coincided with Russia considering a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, amid tensions over potential NATO membership for Ukraine. While Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed readiness to step down for NATO accession, U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have indicated otherwise due to Russia’s opposition. Trump reiterated his belief that European nations should pay more for defense, citing the disparity in contributions compared to the U.S.

NATO members agreed in 2014 to allocate 2% of their GDP for defense following geopolitical events, with the U.S. leading in contributions. Progress has been made, with more allies meeting or exceeding the 2% target, including France and Germany. Trump advocated for an increase to 5% for NATO allies, emphasizing the importance of investing in defense to prevent future conflicts. The U.K. pledged to raise its defense spending, echoing Rutte’s call for more significant investments in security. Rutte also emphasized the need for higher spending to avoid potential costly conflicts in the future. Overall, the discussions underscore the ongoing debate on defense burden-sharing within NATO and the evolving dynamics of transatlantic security cooperation.