Tags: nato | rutte | europe | trump

NATO's Rutte: Europeans Have 'Gotten Message' From Trump

Monday, 04 May 2026 06:57 AM EDT

European nations have "gotten the message" from President Donald Trump and are now ensuring that agreements on the use of military bases are being implemented, NATO Secretary ‌General Mark Rutte said on Monday.

Trump has ​accused some NATO nations of not doing enough to support the United States in the ⁠Iran war. In a further sign of his discontent ​with European allies, the U.S. announced on Friday plans ⁠to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

"Yes, there has been some disappointment from the U.S. side, but Europeans have listened," Rutte told ‌reporters at a European Political Community summit in ​Armenia.

"They are now ‌making sure that all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented," he ‌said.

NATO member Spain has said that military bases on its territory cannot be used for the war ⁠with Iran. But Rutte ‌said other NATO countries ⁠such as Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Britain, France, and ⁠Germany ⁠were implementing requests for the use of bases and other logistical support.

Rutte also said "more ‌and more" European nations were pre-positioning assets such as minehunters and minesweepers close to the Gulf to be ready for ‌a "next ​phase."

Multiple European nations ‌have said they are willing to take part in a mission to help ensure freedom of ​navigation through the Strait of Hormuz once the war is over. 

© 2026 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.


GlobalTalk
European nations have "gotten the message" from President Donald Trump and are now ensuring that agreements on the use of military bases are being implemented, NATO Secretary ‌General Mark Rutte said on Monday.
nato, rutte, europe, trump
221
2026-57-04
Monday, 04 May 2026 06:57 AM
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