Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of NATO, defended the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran, calling them "absolutely necessary."
During a press conference on the second day of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, Rutte stated that Iran had effectively violated a ceasefire and that the U.S. response was vital after observing attacks on vessels the previous day.
Regarding negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, Rutte emphasized that NATO allies would reaffirm that Iran must never possess nuclear capabilities. He also highlighted the importance of "freedom of navigation" in the Strait of Hormuz.
On the topic of defense spending, Rutte praised President Donald Trump for addressing the disparity in defense expenditures between Europe and the U.S., a challenge that has persisted since President Eisenhower's administration. He reiterated that NATO countries aim to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP, with Canada and European nations planning to raise their defense budgets to 4% within a year.
When asked about Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, Rutte warned that the alliance, comprising one billion people across Europe, Canada, and the U.S., would protect its territory without exception, stating, "You will never take this away from us."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.