NATO summit talks: Mark Rutte meets Trump as Pentagon reviews US forces in Europe

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is due to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday. The visit comes two weeks before NATO’s annual summit in Turkey. It also coincides with a Pentagon review of the US military footprint in Europe. Trump has renewed threats to leave NATO, increasing pressure on allies.

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The meeting is expected to centre on keeping the United States in the 77-year-old alliance. Trump has long argued the US pays more than its fair share. Since the Iran war, Trump has complained more loudly about allies. Trump criticised some members for ignoring calls to help restart oil trade through Hormuz.

NATO summit and Pentagon review of US forces in Europe

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe. Hegseth delivered the message last week at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The warning added to fresh instability for the 32-member alliance since Trump returned to office. US officials have signalled resources could shift to other threats.

Hegseth echoed some Trump criticism of European allies during the Brussels meeting. Hegseth faulted allies for not allowing the US to use European bases to attack Iran. NATO allies were not consulted before the US launched the war with Israel on Feb. 28. Some governments have openly questioned Trump’s approach and planning.

Trump has claimed NATO allies did not support the US when needed. Trump has suggested leaving the alliance, which was formed in 1949. NATO was created to counter the Cold War threat from the Soviet Union. The treaty includes mutual defence, where an attack on one is an attack on all.

That collective defence pledge has been used only once. It was invoked in 2001 after the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington. The current dispute comes as Trump again questions NATO’s value and cost. The upcoming leaders summit in Ankara now carries higher political weight for the bloc.

European NATO allies prepare for Ankara summit amid Trump criticism

Earlier Wednesday, leaders of five major European NATO allies met in Berlin. The group included Germany, France, the U.K., Italy and Poland. The talks focused on planning for next month’s summit in Ankara. Rutte joined the Berlin meeting remotely, before heading to the White House engagement.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters the summit should also signal readiness on Iran diplomacy. Merz said the Ankara summit should send the message that "we will do our part when the conditions are in place to support an Iran peace deal.\" The statement linked alliance planning with broader regional stabilisation efforts.

French President Emmanuel Macron described a shift in transatlantic alignment. Macron said \"we are in a moment of reconvergence between the Europeans and the Americans\" and signalled hope that continues at the summit. The comments came as European leaders weigh Trump’s demands. They also face uncertainty from the Pentagon review.

Mark Rutte and Trump talks on NATO spending and alliance role

Rutte has been trying to keep the US committed to NATO. Rutte has gained a reputation for easing Trump’s anger in past exchanges. The Wednesday visit is Rutte’s fifth since Trump returned to power last year. It comes as Trump pushes members to spend more and questions what allies contribute.

Rutte has often credited Trump with driving higher defence spending across the alliance. Trump last year urged leaders to commit to investing 5% of GDP on defence by 2035. Rutte has used praise as part of a strategy to lower tensions. That approach has sometimes drawn attention from other officials.

On Tuesday evening, Rutte gave an interview to Fox News Channel. Trump is known to watch the network closely. During the interview, Rutte repeatedly praised Trump and stressed Trump’s role. Rutte said \"Im completely behind him on this.\" The remark referred to Trump’s efforts in Iran.

Rutte also said disputes over European bases reflected limited problems. Rutte said Trump’s concerns involved only a few isolated cases. Rutte’s praise has at times surprised observers. At last year’s summit, Rutte called Trump \"daddy\" during the alliance meeting, which drew notice across member states.

Rutte later sent Trump a flattering text that used unusual capital letters. The message said, \"Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win,\" Rutte said. Trump posted the private message on social media. Trump later shared another Rutte message in January.

That January message ended with: \"Cant wait to see you. Yours, Mark.\" The exchange showed how closely Rutte has tried to manage Trump’s views. The new White House meeting comes as NATO leaders prepare for Ankara. The outcome may shape alliance unity while the US reviews troop levels in Europe.

With inputs from PTI