NATO Chief Mark Rutte Responds After US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Lashes Out At Allies

NATO Chief Mark Rutte Responds After US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Lashes Out At Allies

Jun 23, 2026

I think it is good that he is clear about what he feels, what his sense is of where we are at the moment. We need to have that discussion. So there is clearly that balance of a lot happening, acknowledging that, but also clearly saying, hey, I want to keep the pressure on. So that was his speech today, generally, when it comes to NATO, and it's specific to this review. That's clearly about the force posture against the background of an alliance which is massively investing in its defense, particularly of course the Canadians and the Europeans when it comes to NATO's collective defense."