According to Associated Press, U.S. Gen. Alex Grynkewich said European allies acted within weeks after the United States announced on June 3 that it would reduce several military contributions available under NATO’s crisis-response framework.

The U.S. decision included plans to scale back assets such as an aircraft carrier and accompanying support ships, aerial refueling aircraft and dozens of fighter jets assigned to the alliance’s force planning. The Pentagon also began reviewing contingency plans for supporting Europe in the event of an armed attack.

Europe Expands Military Contributions

Grynkewich said allied governments moved quickly to compensate for most of the reduced U.S. capabilities within the alliance’s force structure.

“In a matter of weeks, European Allies have largely filled the gaps left by U.S. reductions to the NATO Force Model,” he said.

He added that where European countries could not provide identical capabilities, NATO was evaluating alternative assets capable of delivering similar operational effects. Grynkewich did not identify which capabilities remain outstanding or what alternatives are under consideration.

NATO Force Model Guides Crisis Response

The NATO Force Model serves as the alliance’s framework for making military forces from its 32 member states available during peacetime, crises or armed conflict. It outlines the personnel and equipment commanders can deploy in successive phases during the first six months of a potential conflict.

The Pentagon’s decision surprised many allies because it reduced the U.S. military resources designated for that planning structure as Washington increasingly prioritizes potential security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly those involving China.

In response, European allies and Canada reviewed available military assets that could be committed should a member state come under attack. Britain, for example, has increased the readiness of a second aircraft carrier and additional F-35 fighter aircraft for potential alliance operations.

Summit to Focus on Alliance Readiness

The issue is expected to feature prominently during NATO leaders’ summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Turkey, where force planning and burden-sharing are expected to remain key agenda items.

Mark Rutte has sought to reassure allies that the changes do not signal a weakening of the alliance’s collective defense commitments. Last month, he said the location of military assets during peacetime differs from the resources that would become available if NATO’s defense plans were activated.

Rutte also expressed confidence that the United States would reinforce Europe if a major conflict emerged, pointing to previous instances in which Washington shifted military resources to respond to international crises.

Collective Defense Remains Unchanged

Under Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty, all 32 member states agree that an armed attack against one ally is considered an attack against all. While the provision establishes the principle of collective defense, it does not legally require every member to provide military assistance, although many allies would be expected to do so.

The alliance continues to review force planning as member states adapt to evolving security priorities while maintaining readiness across Europe.

Tags: NATO, Europe, United States, Alex Grynkewich, Mark Rutte, Military, Defense, Security, NATO Summit, Article 5, Pentagon, Transatlantic Alliance

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As world leaders gathered in The Hague for a pivotal NATO summit, few expected the most surprising moment would come from a single social media post.

On the eve of the event, Donald Trump’s Truth Social lit up with a gushing message, purportedly from NATO’s new Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The post, full of praise and Trump-style bravado, declared:
“You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.”

It read like a fan letter, not a diplomatic message—and it raised more than a few eyebrows. But behind the flattery was a calculated strategy that, as the summit unfolded, proved far more effective than many predicted.

Flattery, Strategy, and a Carefully Orchestrated Summit

Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister and newly minted NATO Secretary-General, knows Trump well. During Trump’s first term, Rutte had already established himself as a smooth operator in Washington, using charm, casual wit, and just enough ego-stroking to stay on the former president’s good side.

But this time, Rutte went all in. Publicly praising Trump’s Iran strategy, softening awkward moments (like Trump’s explosive outbursts over Iran and Israel), and even offering a lighthearted “Daddy sometimes uses strong language” joke, Rutte seemed to play the role of diplomatic wingman.

Critics scoffed. Supporters called it savvy. But what’s clear is this: the summit was shaped around Trump, and Rutte helped keep the wheels on.

Even the summit schedule itself was scaled down—just one main session for leaders, reportedly tailored to fit Trump’s preferences. In a throwback to the transactional diplomacy that defined Trump’s earlier NATO appearances, the entire event was built to flatter, not frustrate.

The Results: Trump Gets Credit, NATO Gets Results

The big takeaway from the summit? NATO leaders unanimously agreed to a historic pledge: spend 5% of GDP on defense by 2035, a staggering increase from the long-elusive 2% goal. It’s a win Trump had floated back in January—and now, it’s policy.

“This is the success of President Donald Trump,” Polish President Andrzej Duda declared at the summit. Lithuanian officials echoed the sentiment, even joking that NATO’s new motto could be “Make NATO Great Again.”

Not everyone was thrilled. Spain hesitated on the language, potentially leaving room to meet its commitments without fully embracing the 5% target. Trump, unsurprisingly, called them out.

“It’s terrible what they’ve done,” he said, threatening trade penalties. “We’re going to make them pay twice as much.”

Still, the summit largely avoided the kind of diplomatic spats that have plagued past gatherings. Even Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose relationship with Trump has been historically rocky, came away with a nod toward future U.S. support and a rare Trump rebuke of Vladimir Putin.

What Changed? Trump’s Tone—and NATO’s Tactics

Perhaps the most unexpected twist was Trump himself. Known for questioning NATO’s value, he offered a surprisingly positive assessment.

“These people really love their countries,” Trump said of the alliance. “It’s not a rip-off.”

“I came here because it was something I’m supposed to be doing,” he added. “But I left here a little bit different.”

While some leaders quietly admitted Rutte’s sycophantic tone made them cringe, they also acknowledged it worked. Diplomacy, as one put it, “has many forms.”

In the End, Everybody Wins—Sort Of

The Hague summit will be remembered as a strange but effective chapter in NATO diplomacy. Rutte’s charm offensive helped avoid drama, deliver on spending goals, and hand Trump a headline-grabbing win.

And for all the awkward jokes and ego-massaging, NATO left the summit stronger, better funded, and—for now—unified in its mission. Whether that unity lasts is another question. But at least for one high-stakes week, the alliance held.

Source: CNN – Inside the NATO charm offensive that shocked as much as it delivered

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A high-stakes NATO summit kicked off Tuesday in the Netherlands, bringing world leaders together at a critical moment for the alliance’s future — and global security at large.

The two-day gathering, widely described as historic, could mark a turning point for the 32-member bloc. Leaders are expected to approve a bold new defense spending target: 5% of each country’s GDP dedicated to security. The move would signal a sweeping escalation in military preparedness, aimed squarely at countering threats from outside the alliance.

Trump’s Return Overshadowed by Iran Strikes and Surprise Ceasefire

Originally, much of the spotlight was expected to fall on U.S. President Donald Trump, who is attending his first NATO summit since returning to the White House. He was poised to claim credit for rallying allies behind the unprecedented military spending pledge — a long-standing priority for his administration.

But the narrative shifted abruptly following Trump’s unexpected strike on three Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities, a move the White House says was designed to weaken Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Just as stunning was Trump’s sudden announcement that Iran and Israel had reached a “complete and total ceasefire,” shifting global attention from Brussels to the Middle East overnight.

Ukraine Still Front and Center — Even if the Focus Has Shifted

While headlines swirl around Iran, NATO leaders insist that support for Ukraine remains a top priority. The war is now in its fourth year, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that Ukraine’s defense and sovereignty are “non-negotiable.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in The Hague for a full slate of meetings, though notably absent from a leaders-only session aimed at finalizing the new defense spending plan. He’s expected to meet with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and will later address the Dutch parliament.

The scene marks a shift from last year’s summit in Washington, where NATO’s closing statement strongly backed Ukraine’s future within the alliance, calling its path to membership “irreversible.”

France and Germany Back Peace, Warn of Long-Term Stakes

In a joint op-ed published Monday in the Financial Times, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed strong support for U.S.-led efforts to secure peace in Ukraine. The leaders pledged to uphold Ukrainian sovereignty and ensure long-term European stability.

“Russia will find in France and Germany an unshakeable determination,” they wrote. “What is at stake will determine European stability for the decades to come.”

They added that Europe must guarantee Ukraine’s future as “prosperous, robust, and secure” — free from Russian aggression.

Bottom Line: As NATO leaders huddle behind closed doors in The Hague, the alliance faces no shortage of urgent challenges — from rising defense budgets and a protracted war in Ukraine, to surprise diplomacy in the Middle East. Whether the summit ends in unity or deepened divisions could shape the global security landscape for years to come.

Source: AP News – World leaders gather for historic NATO summit with unity on the line

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NATO issued a clarification on Wednesday regarding comments made by Secretary-General Mark Rutte about four missing U.S. soldiers in Lithuania. Rutte had earlier suggested that the soldiers had died, but NATO later stressed that their fate remains unconfirmed.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), NATO addressed the misunderstanding:

“The search is ongoing. We regret any confusion about remarks @SecGenNATO delivered on this today. He was referring to emerging news reports & was not confirming the fate of the missing, which is still unknown.”

The U.S. Army also confirmed that efforts to locate the soldiers continue.

The missing soldiers, all from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were participating in tactical training when they disappeared. Their Hercules armored vehicle was found submerged in a body of water, prompting a joint recovery operation by the U.S. Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and civilian agencies.

When asked about the situation on Wednesday evening, former President Donald Trump stated, “No, I haven’t [been briefed].”

Speaking in Warsaw, Rutte mentioned he had received word of the soldiers’ presumed deaths while delivering a lecture:

“This is still early news, so we do not know the details. This is really terrible news, and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones.”

According to Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, the soldiers and their vehicle were reported missing on Tuesday afternoon during an exercise at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė. The site is less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Belarusian border.

Lithuania, along with neighboring Baltic nations Latvia and Estonia, is a NATO member. Tensions in the region have been high, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its resistance against Russian forces.

As search and recovery efforts continue, NATO and U.S. officials emphasize that no conclusions have been drawn regarding the fate of the soldiers. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.

Source: AP News – NATO clarifies comments that four missing US soldiers had died during training in Lithuania

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