Mark Rutte Questioned Over Trump’s NATO Remarks
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte faced a pointed question from a Danish journalist after US President Donald Trump again raised his demand for American control over Greenland and criticised Spain over defence spending.
Mark Rutte Questioned Over Trump Remarks
During a press conference at the NATO summit in Ankara, a Danish journalist asked Rutte whether sitting beside Trump while he spoke about Greenland, attacked allies and threatened trade action affected his self-respect.
Rutte avoided directly confronting the question. Instead, he said he believed in giving credit where it was due and praised Trump for pushing NATO members to increase defence spending.
He said the pressure had made NATO stronger by narrowing the spending gap between the United States and Europe.
Trump Revives Greenland Demand
Trump again said the US should control Greenland, arguing that the island is important for global security and Arctic defence.
He cited growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic as a reason for stronger American involvement. Trump also suggested that US troops could be stationed on the island, though he said no final plan had been prepared.
Greenland’s leadership has rejected repeated US control proposals, saying the island is not for sale. Denmark has also maintained that Greenland’s sovereignty is not negotiable.
Spain Targeted Over NATO Spending
Trump also criticised Spain at the summit over its defence spending commitments.
Spain has resisted NATO’s proposed 5% defence spending target and has sought to keep its military expenditure closer to 2.1% of GDP.
Trump reportedly asked US officials to reduce trade engagement with Spain, calling the country unwilling to carry its share of the alliance burden.
The episode underlined continuing tensions within NATO over defence spending, alliance unity and Trump’s foreign policy style.
