NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte tells reporters the alliance is on a stronger path while gradually reducing reliance on a single ally, the US, as foreign ministers gathered for a summit in Sweden.
– Rutte said the shift would give the US greater room to focus on other priorities as European allies increase defence spending.
– “This is necessary not only to equalise what you’re spending with the United States, but also to make sure that we have what we need to… defend against our adversaries,” he added.
– His remarks came amid recent US criticism of some alliance members for not allowing their military bases to be used during the Iran war.
– Rutte said that European allies are fulfilling what the US could expect under bilateral commitments regarding access to their military bases.
– He also pointed to European allies’ efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, saying “we can be maximum helpful as European allies with United States.”
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