“We are committed to developing this, and that this should be the first issue on the agenda at the NATO summit in a few weeks. The second important issue at the summit must be building NATO beyond Europe,” he added.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is due to meet with Trump later on Wednesday, joined the leaders’ discussions via video call. He is expected to convey their message directly in a a meeting that may be a balancing act.
“We want more cooperation, across the Atlantic and within Europe,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said. “For us Germans, this is based on our history, our geography and our constitution. Our neighbors should feel safe when Germany is growing stronger.”
The leaders promised “a greater role for Europe within NATO as Europe plays a greater role for our common security across the Atlantic,” and committed to increasing European defense cooperation by, for example, increasing joint efforts to develop and acquire precision strike capabilities, as outlined. joint statement.
Trump has repeatedly criticized European allies for what he sees as insufficient support for the US-Israel war against Iran, also known as Operation Epic Fury. But his recent turn to Ukraine also seems to raise the hopes of European leaders.
“We are at a time when Europeans and Americans are growing closer again,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.
