US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte met at NATO headquarters in Brussels, reaffirming the US commitment to the alliance and urging member states to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP.
The meeting comes amid concerns over Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and growing threats from China, North Korea, and Iran.
In a statement on Thursday, Rubio dismissed speculation about US role in NATO, stating the country remains an active and engaged partner.
“The United States is in NATO, and we’re as active as we’ve ever been,” he said.
US President Donald Trump supports NATO, but emphasises the need for member states to enhance their military capabilities.
The pair discussed ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where NATO allies have provided over $20 billion in support.
The pair also touched on the importance of defense industrial production and cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
Rutte expressed condolences for the four US soldiers who died during training exercises in Lithuania, highlighting alliance commitment to collective defense.
The US and NATO are working together to address global security challenges, with a focus on strengthening the alliance and enhancing member states’ military capabilities.
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