Secretary of State Marco Rubio and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met to discuss key international issues, including defense spending and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The meeting comes ahead of a leaders-level summit in The Hague.
Rutte expressed admiration for the efforts made by Rubio and President Trump in the Middle East, highlighting American leadership on global issues. "You have been working so hard over the last couple of days in the Middle East," Rutte said. He emphasized the importance of American leadership not only on Ukraine but also on other global matters.
The discussions at the meeting focused on increasing defense spending in Canada and Europe due to threats from Russia, China, and terrorism. Rutte stressed that ramping up defense industry output is crucial to counter these threats effectively.
Rubio highlighted that today's meeting was a precursor to a successful upcoming leaders-level meeting. He noted that NATO aims to strengthen its alliance without weak links. "The Alliance is only as strong as its weakest link," he stated.
The United States has proposed a trillion-dollar defense budget aimed at addressing 21st-century threats. Rubio mentioned that this budget is not just about spending money but investing in necessary capabilities.
Regarding Russia and Ukraine, Rubio reiterated President Trump's desire for peace, stating that there is no military solution to the conflict. "This war is going to end not through a military solution but through a diplomatic one," he emphasized.
Rubio also discussed President Trump's broader vision against wars and terrorism, advocating for building economies and providing prosperity instead of engaging in conflicts. He pointed out recent decisions concerning Syria as part of this vision.
Both leaders acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained hopeful for progress toward ending the war in Ukraine diplomatically while preventing future conflicts.