Rutte Says NATO Is Moving to Reduce Europe’s Dependence on the US

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance is advancing toward reducing its dependence on the United States, speaking at a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden. He said the NATO summit agenda includes maintaining Ukraine’s ability to continue the war and securing the financial resources needed for deterrence. Rutte stressed that Europe must develop capabilities that would allow it to provide the highest level of support to the United States. He said this requires investment in military assets and operational capacity rather than reliance on American support alone. He also noted that European Union member states have deployed ships and equipment capable of clearing naval mines in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf. The deployment highlights efforts to strengthen Europe’s own maritime capabilities in a sensitive international waterway. Separately, US President Trump announced that 5 thousand additional soldiers will be sent to Poland. The move adds to ongoing security adjustments involving NATO allies in Europe.