NATO Chief: Europeans Have “Got the Message” on Defence After Trump Pressure

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1359 EAT on Monday 4 May 2026

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said European leaders have “gotten the message” following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

Trump has recently expressed growing frustration with NATO allies, accusing them of not doing enough to support US and Israeli positions in relation to Iran.

Speaking on Monday, Rutte acknowledged “disappointment from the US side” over burden-sharing within the alliance.

“European leaders have gotten the message. They heard it loud and clear,” Rutte said ahead of a European Political Community meeting in Armenia.
He added: “Europeans are stepping up — a bigger role for Europe and a stronger NATO.”

The Pentagon’s decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany came on Friday, shortly after remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about Iran’s role in US negotiations.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the timing a “surprise,” saying it highlighted the need to strengthen NATO’s European pillar.

NATO said it was in talks with Washington to clarify the decision.

Last week, Merz compared the conflict to previous military quagmires, including the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It is, at the moment, a pretty tangled situation,” he said. “And it is costing us a great deal of money. This conflict, this war against Iran, has a direct impact on our economic output.”

Spain has refused to allow the United States to launch attacks on Iran from its airspace or military bases. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has condemned the war as “unjustified” and a “dangerous military intervention” outside the bounds of international law.

In response, Trump described Spain as “terrible” and threatened to end all trade ties.

Despite the tensions, Rutte said “more and more” European countries were now pre-positioning assets such as minehunters and minesweepers near the Gulf, in preparation for what he called the “next phase” of the conflict.

He did not provide further details, and European governments have previously said they would not take part in policing the Strait of Hormuz until the war has ended.

Several European countries have pledged to increase defence spending amid concerns over US President Donald Trump’s commitment to NATO and Russia’s war in Ukraine, a message rein forced by leaders in Armenia’s capital.

“Europeans are taking their destiny into their own hands, increasing their defence and security spending, and building their own common solutions,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We have to step up our military capabilities to be able to defend and protect ourselves.”

-Aljazeera

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