— If anyone here thinks (…) that the European Union or Europe as a whole can defend itself without the US, let him dream further, he told MEPs from the European Parliament's Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee. “It's impossible,” he added.
— The European pillar is a bit of an empty word, Rutte said at that meeting, quoted by Politico, arguing that a European army would create a “large duplication” in the Alliance. He also said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was “delighted” with such a scenario.
What is Mark Rutte's opinion on the defense of Europe?
Why does Rutte think Europe needs the US?
What did Rutte say about defense spending in NATO?
What are the European Union's plans for a loan to Ukraine?
“Without the United States, defending Europe would cost a fortune”
Rutte urged the EU to allow Ukraine to use part of the bloc's upcoming €90 billion loan to Kiev to buy weapons from the United States, despite pressure from some member states such as France to use the money for purchases from the bloc's own arms suppliers.
The Dutchman also expressed appreciation for Donald Trump for ensuring that all NATO countries increased their defense spending to at least 2%. GDP last year.
— Do you really think that Spain, Italy, Belgium and Canada would decide to move from 1.5 to 2 percent? without Trump? No way, Rutte said. “Without the United States, defending Europe would cost a fortune,” he added.
“If you really want to go it alone in Europe (…) forget that you can do it with 5 percent,” he said, referring to the NATO allies' pledge to increase defense spending to 5 percent. GDP by 2035
Rutte also assured that Trump is committed to NATO. These assurances – as Politico wrote – follow weeks of threats from the US president, who suggested that he could take Greenland by force and that he would impose new tariffs on European countries for deploying troops in Greenland.
Last week, Trump finally ruled out the use of force and changed his mind on tariffs after presenting a deal that he claimed would give the United States more control over the giant Arctic island, although both Denmark and Greenland say they will not compromise on sovereignty.
