NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attempted to reassure European allies that Washington will maintain its commitment to the Western military alliance despite the harsh words of President Donald Trump,

The U.S. has no plans to immediately withdraw its military presence in Europe, despite its demands that European countries take care of their own defence, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed for today’s meeting with his NATO counterparts with a traditional message of support coupled with a warning that Europe can’t rely on America to do all the heavy lifting.

Ministers are meeting in Brussels amid continued antagonism from the US, including 20% tariffs against the EU. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for 5% defense spending.

Rubio is at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers at which many are hoping he will shed light on U.S. security plans in Europe.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned the United States and Europe on Wednesday against any temptation to "go it alone" on security, amid increased tensions over the future of the transatlantic alliance and diverging views on Russia.

The US Secretary of State meets with NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels.NATO Foreign Ministers hold a meeting in Brussels with the participation of Marco Rubio for the first time, where they will discuss support for Ukraine and the increase in military spending.

NATO allies have pledged more than 20 billion euros ($21.65 billion) in military support for Ukraine in the first three months of the year, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed the view that the US has the right to shift its focus from Europe and Russia to China. Source: Rutte's statement to journalists before a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels,

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has appealed for unity within the military alliance as European nations scale up their armed forces and defense industries after the Trump administration warned that Europe must take care of its own security in future.