Rutte Says Trump Fully Committed to NATO, Likens Critical Comments to ‘Family Argument’

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte likened some of U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments at the alliance’s summit in Ankara, Turkey, to a family argument, while reinforcing the president’s commitment to NATO.

During the summit, Trump continued to demand U.S. control of Greenland, which is a semiautonomous territory of another NATO member, Denmark, and called Spain a “terrible partner.”

The 2-day summit ended on July 8, with Trump telling reporters, “There was a lot of love in that room. A lot of unity.”

“We’ve had a tremendous time and I think a great success,” Trump said later at a news conference.

In the formal declaration, which was published at the end of the summit, NATO leaders pledged 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in military equipment, assistance, and training for Ukraine this year and in 2027.

In an interview with the BBC, Rutte played down the disagreements over certain issues at the summit.

“It’s a bit like in a family, you have families where you never quarrel, and then it bursts out completely,” Rutte said on Wednesday. “Trump is completely committed to NATO.”

He said he believed Trump understood that Operation Epic Fury could not have taken place “without using Europe as a power projection platform.”

In comments at the summit, Rutte also refused to rule out a role for NATO in the conflict with Iran, which flared up again on July 8 when Trump said the ceasefire was effectively over.

“It’s just a waste of time dealing with them,” Trump said, hours after U.S. forces struck Iranian targets in what the United States described as retaliation for attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Rutte said the U.S. strikes were “absolutely necessary.”

NATO ‘Willing’ to Play Role Against Iran

“Obviously Iran is outside NATO territory,” Rutte said. “If helpful, NATO is always willing to play a role. But first now, let’s see what happens over the coming days and weeks.”

During the summit, Trump also said the United States would grant Ukraine a license to produce its own supply of Patriot air defense systems, which have been in high demand throughout more than four years of fighting with Russia.

Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had “done an amazing job” and “been very effective.”

“We’ve actually developed a good relationship. It’s hard to believe,” Trump said, 16 months after Zelenskyy clashed with the U.S. president and Vice President JD Vance and was asked to leave the White House on Feb. 28, 2025.

In the Ankara declaration, NATO leaders reiterated their “ironclad” support for Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which enshrines the principle of collective defense.

“An attack on one is an attack on all,” the declaration states. “Our unity, solidarity and collective strength remain the foundation of peace, security, and prosperity for the one billion citizens in our Alliance of free and democratic nations.”

Earlier on July 8, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the Danes would “defend every inch of NATO, including our own territory.”

“One of the reasons why we have built NATO many, many years ago is if anything happens to one of us, then everybody should stand up for each other,” said Frederiksen, referring to Article 5.

Albania had been due to host the next NATO summit in 2027, but at the end of the Ankara declaration, the alliance’s leaders did not confirm the venue, as is the usual protocol, and said simply, “We look forward to our next meeting.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.