NATO Secretary-General Supports U.S. Actions Against Iran
On Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte voiced his support for President Trump’s military actions against Iran, even as some European leaders tried to distance themselves from the military operations.
“What the United States has done is extremely important,” Rutte stated during a roundtable with reporters. He commended the president for the military action.
According to Rutte, operations like last year’s Midnight Hammer and the recent “Operation Epic Fury” have been crucial in diminishing Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. He remarked, “These operations are vital for both Europe and the Middle East.”
His comments, however, contrasted sharply with those of various European politicians who have criticized Trump’s stance or openly distanced themselves from military actions, with some even denying access to U.S. military bases during conflicts.
For instance, in March, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez labeled the U.S.-led operations as “illegal, reckless and unjust,” cautioning that Western nations shouldn’t “play Russian roulette with the fate of millions.” Spain has also constrained U.S. military aircraft from its airspace and restricted access to shared military bases.
Nevertheless, Rutte maintained that Europe has contributed in other significant ways. He noted, “More generally, Europe served as a power projection platform for the United States,” referencing thousands of U.S. military flights from European locations.
Additionally, Rutte acknowledged that Trump’s leadership has pushed European nations to increase their defense spending after a long period of lagging behind the U.S. “I would like to thank the Lord, this president,” he remarked, “I think this is a credit to him.”
When discussing Trump’s evolving relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Rutte provided some interesting insights. He suggested that Trump’s praise for Zelensky reflected an acknowledgment of Ukraine’s recent successes against Russian forces.
“I think what the president also acknowledged… is that the Ukrainians are doing very well,” Rutte noted, highlighting notable Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and military locations within Russia itself, while estimating that Russian military losses amount to about 35,000 per month.
He pointed out that Ukrainian forces have halted the Russian advance and may even be reclaiming some territory. “The Russians have stopped making great progress,” he stated, adding, “There is even talk of Ukrainians taking back some of their territory from the Russians.”
However, Rutte emphasized that Ukraine remains heavily reliant on Western air defense systems, particularly Patriot artillery and anti-missile defenses supplied by the U.S. and supported by European partners.
Despite a year of diplomatic efforts led by the U.S., Rutte expressed skepticism regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s genuine interest in concluding the war. “The problem is that President Putin is not serious about it. The only one willing to sit down is Mr. Zelensky,” he remarked.
Rutte dismissed any notion that the Trump administration had diverted its focus from Ukraine due to the situation in Iran. He asserted that senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, remain actively engaged in negotiations.
He also suggested that the lack of progress in Ukraine is a result of Moscow’s lukewarm involvement. “I don’t think he lacks concentration,” he commented. “That’s definitely part of the fact that the Russians aren’t really involved.”
