Speaking to the European Parliament, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States, dismissing calls for full strategic autonomy.
“If anyone thinks that the European Union or Europe as a whole can defend itself without the US, keep on dreaming,” Rutte said, adding: “You can’t. We need each other.”
Rutte argued that Europe’s role should be to strengthen a “European pillar” within NATO, complementing US capabilities rather than duplicating them. He said an independent European force would raise costs, strain recruitment, and complicate command structures.
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