NATO chief says Europeans have 'gotten message' from Trump on defence
- Last updated: May 4, 2026 | 11:32
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of the European Political Community in Yerevan, Armenia, on Monday. AP
Europeans have "heard" US President Donald Trump's message of frustration over the Iran war and are "stepping up", NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Monday after Washington announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
"European leaders have gotten the message. They heard the message loud and clear," Rutte said before talks with European leaders in Armenia, acknowledging "disappointment on the US side" faced with European allies' resistance to joining the war.
"Europeans are stepping up," Rutte insisted. "We have seen all these countries now participating with their bilateral agreements making sure that when it comes to basing requests and all the logistical support," he said.
Agence France-Presse