NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with President-elect Donald Trump in Florida on Friday to discuss a range of global security issues facing the alliance. The meeting took place in Palm Beach, where the two leaders engaged in discussions and were pictured shaking hands, as shared on the NATO website.
During the meeting, Rutte and his team also had the opportunity to meet with Rep. Mike Waltz, who is Trump's pick for national security adviser. This gathering holds significance as NATO navigates challenges, particularly in supporting Ukraine amidst Russia's ongoing conflict. Trump's stance on the US commitment to Kyiv has been a point of contention, with doubts raised about the continuation of support.
Notably, Trump has nominated Matthew Whitaker, the former acting attorney general, to serve as the US ambassador to NATO. If confirmed, Whitaker is expected to play a key role in urging NATO member countries to bolster their defense spending. This aligns with Trump's previous efforts to push for increased defense contributions from alliance members.
During his presidential campaign, Trump emphasized the importance of NATO members meeting their defense spending targets to uphold the alliance's mutual defense commitment. This stance underscores the ongoing discussions within NATO regarding defense expenditure and strategic priorities.
