NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has publicly supported President Trump's military actions against Iran, praising the operation despite some European leaders distancing themselves from the strikes. Rutte stated that both last year's "Midnight Hammer" nuclear facility bombing campaign and the recent "Operation Epic Fury" were crucial in degrading Tehran's nuclear capabilities, which he deemed essential for European and Middle Eastern security.
The NATO chief's remarks place him at odds with several European politicians who have criticized Trump's approach to Iran. For instance, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez previously described the US-led operation as "illegal, reckless and unjust." Spain was among the countries that denied the U.S. access to military bases and airspace for war-related flights during the campaign.
Despite these divisions, Rutte noted that Europe contributed to the broader US military presence, describing the continent as a "power projection platform" for the US through thousands of military sorties launched from European bases. He also credited Trump with prompting European nations to increase their defense spending after years of lagging behind Washington's commitments.
Rutte also commented on President Trump's evolving relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting that Trump's more positive remarks reflected a growing acknowledgment of Ukraine's battlefield successes against Russia. Rutte pointed to successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and military targets deep within Russian territory, while noting that Moscow continues to suffer significant troop losses, estimated at around 35,000 per month.
According to Rutte, Ukraine's military has effectively halted Russia's advance and may be regaining territory in some areas. He emphasized, however, that Kyiv remains heavily reliant on Western air defense systems, particularly Patriot batteries and missile interceptors, supplied by the U.S. but funded by European partners.
Rutte indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown little genuine interest in ending the war, stating that "Putin is not playing ball." He added that Ukrainian President Zelensky is the one "willing to sit down with anyone to get to a deal," while Putin continues to repeat maximalist demands.
Rutte rejected the notion that the Trump administration had shifted its focus away from Ukraine due to the Iran conflict, asserting that senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, remain actively involved in efforts to broker a settlement. He attributed any lack of progress primarily to Moscow's stance, stating, "It is absolutely part of the fact that the Russians are not really involved."