Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently engaged in discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to outline President Trump's immediate foreign policy priorities. The call, which took place ahead of President Trump's remarks at Davos, emphasized the importance of NATO allies increasing their defense spending to 5% of their GDP.
During the conversation, Rubio reaffirmed the United States' commitment to NATO and highlighted the alliance's crucial role in international security. The two leaders also addressed the significance of having capable defense allies and the importance of equitable burden-sharing among NATO members.
Furthermore, the discussion touched upon the need to resolve Russia's conflict with Ukraine peacefully. Both Rubio and Rutte agreed on the interconnectedness of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced cooperation and understanding between the two areas.
In response to the call, Rutte expressed optimism and welcomed Rubio's involvement, looking forward to collaborating on issues related to Ukraine, Russia, and China. He underscored the benefits of increasing defense spending in Europe and bolstering transatlantic defense production for collective strength.
Additionally, Rubio engaged in a separate conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, emphasizing Turkey's significance as a NATO ally and highlighting the importance of the US-Turkey relationship. The two leaders discussed the imperative of an inclusive transition in Syria to prevent the country from becoming a breeding ground for international terrorism and to thwart the exploitation of Syria's transition by foreign malign actors.
Lastly, Rubio extended his condolences for the lives lost and affected by a tragic hotel fire in Bolu, demonstrating empathy and solidarity during a difficult time.
