NATO's Rutte Says Europeans Have 'Gotten Message' From Trump [View all]

Source: US News & World Report/Reuters

May 4, 2026, at 2:53 a.m.


BRUSSELS, May 4 (Reuters) - ⁠European ⁠nations have "gotten the message" ⁠from U.S. President Donald Trump and are ​now ensuring that agreements on the use of military bases are ‌being implemented, NATO Secretary ‌General Mark Rutte said on Monday.

Trump has accused ⁠some NATO ⁠nations of not doing enough to support the United ​States in the Iran war. In a further sign of his discontent with European allies, the U.S. announced on Friday ​plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

"Yes, there has been ⁠some ⁠disappointment from the U.S. ⁠side, ​but Europeans have listened," Rutte told reporters at a European ​Political Community summit ⁠in Armenia. "They are now making sure that all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented," he said.

NATO member Spain has said that military bases on its territory cannot ⁠be used for the war with Iran. But Rutte said ⁠other NATO countries such as Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Britain, France and Germany were implementing requests for the use of bases and other logistical support.

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-05-04/natos-rutte-says-europeans-have-gotten-message-from-trump