NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House yesterday (14 July 2025) to advance critical efforts in support of Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression. Speaking to press in the Oval Office, Rutte hailed President Trump’s pivotal decision to ensure Ukraine receives essential military resources, with NATO coordinating the effort with funding from Allies in Europe and Canada.
Mr. Rutte highlighted the momentum from the recent NATO Summit in The Hague, where Allies agreed to a 5% GDP defence spending target and increased defence industrial production as well as continued support to Ukraine. He underscored how this effort brings all three together just weeks after the historic decisions were made. NATO is now working on substantial military equipment packages, including air defence systems, missiles, and ammunition. Rather than a single, finite package, the announcement yesterday marks new impetus, focused on rapid, substantial equipment transfers to Ukraine. “This is Europe stepping up,” he stated, noting commitments from Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada, with more expected to follow.
While in Washington, the Secretary General also had meetings with the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, as well as Members of Congress.