'Europe cannot protect itself without America...', NATO chief's blunt statement

News Topical, Digital Desk : Donald Trump's plans to annex Greenland have soured the centuries-old relationship between the United States and Europe. Several European countries have outright rejected Trump's plan. Meanwhile, NATO chief Mark Rutte has issued a significant statement.

Mark Rutte says that Europe cannot defend itself without US military assistance. Europe as a whole would have to double its defense budget.

What did the NATO chief say?

According to Mark Rutte, “If anyone here thinks that the European Union or the whole of Europe can protect itself without the help of the United States, you are living a dream world. You cannot do that. Both Europe and the United States need each other.”

At a NATO summit in The Hague in July 2025, all countries pledged to spend 3.5 percent of their GDP on defense, with a target to increase this to 5 percent by 2035.

You'll have to spend twice as much money: Mark

Mark Rutte says that even with a 5 percent investment of GDP, Europe cannot catch up with the US. That would require spending 10 percent. Europe would have to become nuclear-capable, which would cost Europe billions of euros.

Trump's threat on Greenland

It's worth noting that tensions have been building within NATO since Trump's threat to annex Greenland. US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on European countries that don't support the Greenland plan.

Greenland is part of the NATO country Denmark. The United States is also a key NATO member. NATO comprises a total of 32 countries. Under NATO's Article 5, an attack on any country is equivalent to an attack on all NATO countries. Therefore, Trump's Greenland plan has become a source of controversy within NATO.

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