Headlines
NATO boss Rutte slaps down calls for European army prompted by Trump fears
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 26, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Summary
NATO's Mark Rutte dismisses European army calls, stressing NATO's security role amid Trump's uncertain commitment.
NATO boss Rutte slaps down calls for European army prompted by Trump fears
NATO's Stance on European Defense
BRUSSELS, Jan 26 (Reuters) - NATO boss Mark Rutte on Monday dismissed calls by some leading European politicians for a separate European army, prompted by doubts over Donald Trump's commitment to the continent's security that were heightened by tensions over Greenland.
Rutte's Remarks on European Army
Rutte told advocates of a European force separate from the U.S.-led NATO alliance to "keep dreaming", and said Russian President Vladimir Putin would "love" the idea as it would stretch Europe's armies and make them weaker.
Concerns Over Defense Duplication
Speaking to the European Parliament in Brussels, Rutte said European nations should continue to step up to take more responsibility for their own security, as Trump has demanded - but within the transatlantic alliance.
Financial Implications of a Separate Force
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius have both raised the prospect of a European force in recent weeks.
Without referring explicitly to either proposal, Rutte gave the general idea short shrift, insisting Trump and the U.S. remained strongly committed to NATO, despite the uncertainty caused by Trump's demands that NATO member Denmark cede control of Greenland.
"I think there will be a lot of duplication and I wish you luck if you want to do it, because you have to find the men and women in uniform - they'll be on top of what is happening already," he said.
"It will make things more complicated. I think Putin will love it. So think again."
Rutte told the lawmakers that if Europe really wanted to go it alone, it would cost far more than the 5% of GDP that NATO nations have agreed to spend on defence and security-related investments.
"You have to build up your own nuclear capability - that costs billions and billions of euros. You will lose then, in that scenario ... the ultimate guarantor of our freedom, which is the U.S. nuclear umbrella. So hey, good luck."
(Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Key Takeaways
- •NATO's Rutte dismisses European army calls.
- •Concerns over duplication in defense efforts.
- •Rutte emphasizes NATO's importance for security.
- •Financial implications of a separate European force.
- •Rutte warns against weakening European defense.
Frequently Asked Questions about NATO boss Rutte slaps down calls for European army prompted by Trump fears
1What is GDP?
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period, often used as an economic indicator.
2What is a European army?
A European army would be a unified military force composed of European Union member states, aimed at enhancing collective security and defense capabilities.
3What is the role of the European Parliament?
The European Parliament is one of the main legislative bodies of the European Union, representing EU citizens and making decisions on various policies, including defense and security.
