NATO Chief: Europe Can't Defend Itself Without US, 'Keep Dreaming'

• NATO chief Mark Rutte stated Europe cannot defend itself without the United States, despite calls for greater European autonomy.
• Rutte's comments follow tensions over US President Donald Trump's threat to acquire Greenland, which sparked debate on Europe's military reliance on Washington.
• He argued that for Europe to defend itself independently, EU countries would need to double defense spending and invest heavily in nuclear arms, losing the US nuclear umbrella.
• Rutte emphasized that the US commitment to NATO's Article Five remains strong, but expects European allies to increase military spending.
• He dismissed the idea of a European defense force replacing US troops, suggesting it would complicate matters and benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Why It Matters: NATO chief Mark Rutte asserts Europe's defense is impossible without the US, urging increased spending.