NATO chief praises Trump’s ‘truly extraordinary’ actions against Iran in text messages
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has commended U.S. President Donald Trump for his bold decision to launch military strikes on Iran, describing the move as “truly extraordinary.” The messages exchanged between Rutte and Trump, which were shared on the Truth Social platform, reveal Rutte’s admiration for Trump’s willingness to target Iranian nuclear sites, a decision that Rutte believes no other leader would have dared to make.
According to a spokesperson for Rutte, these messages were sent just before the NATO summit in The Hague, where world leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, were set to convene. Rutte expressed his belief that Trump’s actions have contributed to enhancing global security, stating that the decision to confront the Iranian regime “makes us all safer.”
Rutte also acknowledged Trump’s efforts to push NATO members to increase defense spending, attributing the progress made in this area to the U.S. president’s influence. Rutte praised Trump for successfully rallying member countries to commit to allocating five percent of GDP towards defense, with Europe stepping up to contribute significantly.
The NATO summit aimed to strengthen the alliance and focus on boosting defense expenditures. As part of this effort, NATO members agreed to dedicate at least 3.5 percent of GDP to core military needs by 2035, along with 1.5 percent towards broader security-related expenses like cybersecurity and infrastructure. This increase reflects the evolving security landscape, including heightened militarization by Russia and other global threats.
Canada, historically criticized for lagging behind in military spending, has made significant progress under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership. Carney announced plans for Canada to meet NATO’s previous spending target by 2032, but under his leadership, the country is on track to achieve this goal much sooner. Carney emphasized the importance of investing in critical minerals essential for military equipment, highlighting Canada’s potential to meet defense infrastructure requirements.
Carney acknowledged the financial implications of meeting the new spending target, estimating costs of up to $150 billion annually. Despite the substantial investment required, Carney remains confident in Canada’s ability to fulfill its obligations, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to ensure effective utilization of resources.
In an interview with CNN International, Carney emphasized the importance of meeting NATO’s defense spending targets while maintaining fiscal responsibility. He emphasized the need for careful planning and resource allocation to ensure Canada’s military capabilities align with international standards. The commitment to enhancing defense capabilities reflects NATO’s collective effort to address evolving security challenges and strengthen the alliance’s readiness.
