NATO’s role in Europe and the difficult peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were at the center of the diplomatic agenda in Washington, where on the same day, NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte was received at the Pentagon and State Department and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was welcomed by President Donald Trump at the White House. Shortly thereafter, Rutte was also received in the Oval Office.
Earlier, Rutte had discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
On Wednesday, President Trump declared that an understanding with Russia “is within reach,” while pointing out that dealing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is “more difficult” than negotiating with Vladimir Putin. Trump called on Kiev to give up Crimea and abandon any ambitions of NATO membership.
The conflict was also the focus of talks with the Alliance secretary general and Støre. In the Oval Office, Trump was flanked by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and Advisor Waltz. Also present with the Norwegian prime minister was former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, to whom Trump reiterated the Alliance’s strategic importance for Europe.
During the meeting, Trump stressed that “both Russia and Ukraine want peace, but we need to bring them to the table.” He said he believes both sides are tired of the fighting and insisted on the urgency of an agreement. Støre praised Trump’s diplomatic efforts, “A ceasefire is needed to save lives and make Europe safer. We are working together for that.” The Norwegian premier went on to reiterate that “U.S. engagement is key to ending the war.”
In his conversation with Trump, the NATO secretary general also spoke of “constructive” meetings and praised “the U.S. commitment under the president’s leadership to unblock the situation.” According to him, “Ukraine is doing its part, now it’s Russia’s turn.”
Ahead of the meetings, NATO released its annual report. The data show that in 2024 the European allies and Canada increased defense spending by 19.4 percent over the previous year. However, nine member countries–including Italy–failed to meet the target of 2 percent of GDP in military spending: Italy (1.5 percent), Belgium (1.29 percent), Canada (1.45 percent), Croatia (1.86 percent), Luxembourg (1.3 percent), Montenegro (1.71 percent), Portugal (1.46 percent), Slovenia (1.37 percent) and Spain (1.24 percent).
Overall, the total military spending of the 32 members reached 2.61 percent of GDP, up from 2.44 percent in 2023. For the first time, the European allies as a whole and Canada reached the 2 percent threshold, up from 1.74 percent the previous year.
“In recent years,” Rutte said, “the European allies and Canada have allocated more than $700 billion more to defense. But in 2025 we need a dramatic acceleration: we need to make a quantum leap.”
In 2024, the United States accounted for about 64 percent of the alliance’s defense spending, with the other members, Europeans and Canadians, accounting for the remaining 36 percent.
According to Trump, NATO members should raise military spending to 5 percent of GDP, a threshold that no country in the Alliance today reaches, not even the United States.
