"No Gaps in European Military Capabilities," Says in NYT Interview
Mark Rutte, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has dismissed recent speculation about a possible reduction of US troops stationed in Europe, stating, "There are currently no discussions about reductions." He also emphasized that increasing defense spending by European countries is a more urgent issue.
In an interview with the New York Times published on July 5 (local time), Secretary General Rutte said, "There are no issues currently under discussion with the US government regarding a reduction of US troops in Europe," adding, "What we do know is that Europe needs to spend more."
He continued, "When it comes to troop levels, we all agree that there should not be any gaps in military capabilities within Europe," and explained, "Even if the United States shifts its strategic focus to the Asia region, that process must occur in a way that prevents any unexpected situations and ensures there are no capability gaps."
Secretary General Rutte's remarks come after NATO leaders last month agreed to increase defense spending to a level equivalent to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP). This move effectively aligns with the ongoing stance of US President Donald Trump, who has consistently demanded that Europe take on greater defense responsibilities.
The United States currently stations up to 100,000 troops across Europe, with about 20,000 of them having been deployed during former President Joe Biden's administration in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the Trump administration has previously expressed its intention to redeploy some troops to other regions.
Addressing concerns that "the US may be stepping back from defending Europe as Russia regroups and the war intensifies," Secretary General Rutte firmly stated, "The United States is not withdrawing from Europe." Instead, he said, "What the US expects from Europe is for Europe to take on more defense responsibilities itself," adding, "This is logical."
He further explained, "Our plan is for European countries to gradually reduce the burden on the United States and independently carry out NATO's defense," and, "When that happens, the US will be able to shift its focus to the Indo-Pacific region."
Secretary General Rutte stated, "This approach also serves Europe's interests," and explained, "Given that China and North Korea are involved in the war in Ukraine, all of these issues are interconnected."
The New York Times reported that some experts interpret Secretary General Rutte's stance as "a signal that he is prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to gain President Trump's support." In fact, during the interview, Secretary General Rutte was not seen to be taking a confrontational stance against Trump.
Regarding his recent use of the term "Daddy" when meeting with President Trump, he dismissed criticism of excessive flattery, saying, "My view is that those who deserve praise should be praised."
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