Media: Rutte faces tough battle to reaffirm NATO's importance in talks with Trump

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte faces a tough challenge as he meets US President Donald Trump on March 13, with European nations like France and the UK bypassing NATO for direct defence deals with the US, as noted by Politico.

As NATO’s role comes into question, Rutte must demonstrate the continued relevance of the alliance.

“The real challenge for him now is to become that Trump whisperer and make sure that President Trump and America stay involved in NATO,” said Giedrimas Jeglinskas, chair of Lithuania’s National Security and Defence Committee.

While NATO has adapted to geopolitical changes before, the current shift presents a significant test. As US support for Ukraine wanes, nations such as Germany, Poland, and Italy are forming separate blocs, sidelining NATO's traditional structure.

With the US reducing its military presence in Europe, the future of NATO’s defence capabilities is under review. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called recent meetings in Paris “almost as important as the preparatory meetings for the creation of NATO in 1949.”

Despite these challenges, some within NATO believe Rutte’s quieter approach may be the right strategy. "It’s in the DNA of the organization not to create waves,” said one former official.

By Aghakazim Guliyev