NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Tuesday dismissed concerns over Washington’s long-term commitment to the alliance, emphasizing that the United States remains actively engaged despite the expected absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio from a critical meeting of allied foreign ministers in Brussels.
The gathering, scheduled for Wednesday, comes at a pivotal moment as Russia’s war in Ukraine nears its fourth year and European leaders navigate high-stakes negotiations regarding Kyiv’s political and territorial future.
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Rubio’s Absence Sparks Questions
Rubio’s nonattendance marks an unusual deviation given the United States’ central leadership role in NATO. His absence follows the release of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial 28-point draft proposal for ending the war, which unsettled European allies by suggesting Ukraine would not join NATO and that further alliance expansion would be halted.
Addressing reporters, Rutte sought to allay concerns. “He’s working extremely hard to take care not only of the situation in Ukraine, but many other issues which are on his plate,” Rutte said. “I totally accept him not being able to be here tomorrow, and I would not read anything into it.”
A senior U.S. State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, echoed Rutte’s stance, noting that Rubio has already conducted dozens of engagements with NATO counterparts this year and that attending every meeting is “impractical.”
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will represent Washington at the meeting and is expected to press allies to meet the Trump administration’s demand that NATO members raise defense spending to 5% of GDP—a significant increase from the current 2% guideline.
Ukraine’s NATO Membership: A Complex Reality
Trump’s initial peace plan proposed a freeze on NATO enlargement and explicitly excluded Ukraine from eventual membership, despite repeated alliance commitments that Kyiv has a future within NATO once conditions are met.
Rutte acknowledged the political reality: “Right now, as you know, there is no consensus on Ukraine joining NATO,” citing opposition not only from the Trump administration but also from Hungary and Slovakia.
Nevertheless, he reaffirmed Ukraine’s long-term trajectory, describing it as an “irreversible path” toward eventual NATO membership, consistent with commitments made at the 2024 Washington summit. He added that elements of Trump’s early proposals have been revised following European input and that NATO-related issues in any future settlement would be addressed separately.
Rising Tensions and Russian Threats
The upcoming foreign ministers’ meeting comes amid warnings from European officials that Russian President Vladimir Putin could target another European country within three to five years if Moscow prevails in Ukraine.
European leaders continue to view Russia’s invasion as an existential threat, and uncertainty over U.S. leadership and NATO unity risks undermining deterrence at a critical juncture. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has urged European allies to assume greater responsibility for regional security, particularly as the United States pivots strategic attention to the Asia-Pacific.
U.S. Posture and NATO Coordination
Concerns over a potential U.S. military drawdown in Europe have grown. Romania announced in October that the U.S. would reduce its troop presence by up to 3,000 personnel as part of a broader global force review, with updated European troop plans expected in early 2026.
Trump’s recent remarks have also unsettled NATO officials, portraying the alliance in transactional terms and emphasizing U.S. arms sales to member states. “We’re selling a lot of weapons to NATO, and that’s going, I guess, to Ukraine for the most part,” Trump said in an October meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Wednesday’s session in Brussels will focus on bolstering support for Ukraine, coordinating deterrence measures along NATO’s eastern flank, and assessing the long-term security implications of the war.
Rutte stressed the enduring unity of the alliance despite political pressures. “At this pivotal moment, NATO’s strength lies in its shared commitment,” he said. “The work continues, with or without any single individual at the table.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t Secretary of State Rubio attending the NATO meeting?
He has a busy schedule; Deputy Secretary Landau will attend instead.
Is the U.S. still committed to NATO and Ukraine?
Yes, the U.S. remains fully engaged.
Will Ukraine join NATO soon?
Not yet; there’s no consensus, but Ukraine remains on a long-term path toward membership.
What will the NATO meeting focus on?
Support for Ukraine, deterrence on the eastern flank, and long-term security planning.
Are there concerns about U.S. troops in Europe?
Some reductions are planned, but updated troop levels are expected in early 2026.
How serious is the Russian threat?
NATO sees it as an existential threat; Russia could target other countries if it prevails.
Conclusion
Despite recent uncertainties and high-profile absences, NATO remains a united alliance committed to supporting Ukraine and deterring Russian aggression. While political differences and debates over defense spending persist, Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that the alliance’s strength lies in its shared commitments.
