NATO's Rutte says Europe can't defend itself without U.S. military support.

Calls for European military independence were dismissed by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said that Europe cannot effectively defend itself without the United States. He highlighted the United States. role in long-range capabilities, cutting-edge technology, and nuclear deterrence, cautioning that the alliance would be exposed if it relied only on European forces. His comments underscore persistent worries about burden-sharing, transatlantic unity, and the ongoing requirement for U.S. military assistance in the face of geopolitical unrest and uncertainty about upcoming US commitments.