Retired Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is likely to become the next NATO Secretary-General, called on European leaders to stop “complaining” about former President Donald Trump.
The blunt warning comes days after the 2024 Republican front-runner suggested that the United States should not honor its NATO commitments if European countries do not increase their defense contributions to the North Atlantic Alliance. Ta. Trump’s comments sparked outrage across Europe and prompted immediate condemnation from President Biden’s White House.
“We need to stop moaning, complaining and nagging about President Trump,” Rutte told the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
“It’s up to the American people. I’m not an American, I can’t vote in America. We have to work with whoever is on the dance floor,” he added.
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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte speaks to journalists during a visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on January 23, 2024. (Reuters/Amel Emrick)
Rutte, who will retire from Dutch politics in July, said Europe should increase defense spending and increase ammunition production regardless of whether Trump returns to the White House in 2024.
He also said it was in the continent’s interest to increase support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
According to Reuters, Rutte is the front-runner to replace NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who will step down in October. He said he would not campaign for the position.
Stoltenberg was among those to slam Trump’s comments this week, saying the former president’s rhetoric was “undermining” the security of member states.
NATO chief’s criticism of Trump ‘undermines the security of all of us’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte shake hands before a meeting at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Handout via Ukraine Presidential Press Office/Reuters)
“The whole idea of NATO is that an attack against one ally provokes an alliance-wide response, and as long as we support that message together, we can We will prevent any military attack against our allies.” .
He added: “Any suggestion that we won’t stand up for each other, that we won’t protect each other, makes us all less safe.”
The warning came after President Trump proposed Harsh words against NATO Allies even suggested at campaign rallies last week that the United States would not protect NATO allies who do not fully contribute.
Trump recalled a conversation he had with the president of a “big country,” in which the president asked, “If we don’t increase our defense contributions to the North Atlantic Alliance, will you protect us as Russia attacks us?” It is said that
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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during the caucus night rally in Las Vegas, Thursday, February 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“Until I came along, NATO was broken,” Trump said. “I said, ‘Everyone will pay.’ They said, ‘If we don’t pay, will you protect us?’ I said, “Absolutely not.” They couldn’t believe the answer. ”
Mr. Stoltenberg expressed concern about President Trump’s comments, but the former president’s comments spurred moves to confirm member states’ contributions next year.
The NATO chief announced that 18 of the alliance’s 31 members are on track to meet their commitment to contribute 2% of their GDP to the group. European countries plan to contribute $380 billion this year, making Germany the first country to meet its 2% pledge since the Cold War.
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Rutte suggested that focusing on President Trump’s comments would only distract from supporting Ukraine and fulfilling NATO commitments.
“And all the whining and moaning about Trump. I’ve been hearing it constantly for the past few days. Let’s stop it,” Rutte said, adding that after speaking to U.S. politicians in Munich, he would “cautiously… “I’m optimistic,” he added. National Security Supplemental Package with funding for Ukraine.
Fox News Digital’s Timothy HJ Nerozzi, Anders Hagstrom and Reuter contributed to this report.
