EUROPEAN LEADERS Anxious Over Possible Trump Comeback
— Around 50 European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met to talk about trans-Atlantic relations with the possibility of Donald Trump returning. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stressed the need for a united front on Russia. The summit aimed to ensure smoother relations if Trump wins the presidency again.
Rutte, who worked with Trump during his first term, praised Trump’s clarity and ability to reach joint decisions. He highlighted shared challenges from Russia’s actions in Ukraine and warned that Russia’s ties with North Korea threaten both Europe and the U.S. mainland.
Trump previously urged European NATO allies to boost defense spending beyond 2% of their GDP. This push led NATO members to exceed this target without U.S. contributions considered. Rutte credited Trump for sparking this shift during his presidency, which is now a reality for many European nations.