NATO chief diplomats meet in Brussels, Rubio confronts allies alarmed by Trump's moves

On April 3, NATO foreign ministers will begin a two-day meeting in Brussels, where they will discuss strengthening the alliance's defense capabilities, as European countries face growing pressure from the United States to increase defense spending.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the two-day meeting takes place at "a particularly critical moment for our common security, with challenges too great for us to face individually."

Rutte insisted that the US remains committed to the alliance, despite criticism that US President Donald Trump is undermining transatlantic relations.

"I know there has been harsh rhetoric. I know there have been allies, for example, on this side of the Atlantic, who are concerned about the long-term commitment of the US to NATO," Rutte said.

"The Americans have repeatedly said: 'We are committed to NATO. We are committed to Article 5,'" he added, referring to the alliance's commitment to collective defense.

 "I am absolutely convinced that this alliance will continue to exist with the US. Their commitment is absolutely clear," Rutte said.

NATO allies are determined to present a united front to oppose Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but European allies are feeling their efforts are being marginalized.

In seeking a quick ceasefire agreement, Washington has suggested that Ukraine may have to make territorial concessions. The US has also taken steps to resume dialogue with Russia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend the meeting along with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Rubio could face questions from allies who are alarmed, angry and confused by President Donald Trump's administration's moves to improve relations with Russia and its verbal attacks on longtime transatlantic partners.

Based on what they have seen and heard since Trump took office in January, European officials have expressed deep concerns about the future role of the US in the Western military alliance.

Rubio is likely to be pressured to explain Trump's expressed desire to make NATO ally Canada the 51st U.S. state, as well as his attempt to annex Greenland, which is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, another NATO ally.

Rubio arrived in Brussels on April 3. He will be accompanied in Brussels by the newly confirmed US ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker.

He is expected to convey the message that European allies should increase defense spending and share more of the financial burden.

In June, NATO leaders are expected to decide whether to raise the defense spending target for each member from the current minimum of 2 percent of gross domestic product.

The Trump administration has floated the idea of ​​a minimum of 5 percent of gross domestic product. Meanwhile, Rutte is pushing the idea that each ally commit to spending at least 3.7 percent on defense as soon as possible, and have regular reports on progress.

But some European allies will be hesitant to commit quickly to large defense spending, given that they are facing slow economic growth and rising budget deficits.

Sybiha is expected to brief her counterparts on the latest information regarding the situation on the battlefield.

Ukraine's membership in the alliance is not on the agenda at the moment, but most European allies are interested in at least ensuring that American weapons will continue to be sent to Ukraine and that NATO's training mission for Ukrainian soldiers will continue to operate.

So far, everything is continuing as before. There has been no change in the position of American troops on NATO's eastern flank.

What has changed, however, is that the US no longer chairs the Contact Group for the Defence of Ukraine, known as the Ramstein Group, which coordinates military support for Kiev. The UK chaired the group's last meeting in February, and the next meeting, scheduled for April 11, could be co-chaired by the UK and France./REL