NATO chief aims to persuade Trump against making concessions to Russia

Since Trump’s election, European leaders have reached out to him, finding him more engaged and listening attentively rather than making demands. For example, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Trump’s post-election inquiry into Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's plans and Putin’s intentions as calm and well-prepared.

These positive interactions reflect Europe's desire to foster a productive relationship with Trump amid geopolitical challenges, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

One of Europe’s key representatives in dealings with Trump is expected to be Mark Rutte, the new NATO Secretary-General. Rutte, known for his ability to engage with Trump, is likely to stress the importance of a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine that doesn't reward Russian aggression. He is expected to meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago soon to discuss peace negotiations.

Rutte also advised European leaders to engage directly with Trump, warning against relying on rumors or indirect discussions. He emphasized that if Russia wins the war in Ukraine, the cost of countering Putin in the future would be much higher.

Rutte urged NATO defence ministers to increase defense spending beyond the current target of 2 per cent of GDP to prepare for a potentially emboldened Russia.

By Vafa Guliyeva