According to Politico, NATO Secretary General Rutte, who leads the world's “most powerful” military alliance, found himself “in the back seat.” France and Britain are seeking a direct agreement with Trump on defense issues. The two countries are forming independent forces with Poland, Germany, and Italy to deal with America's declining support for Ukraine. This means that when Rutte visited the White House on Thursday, he needed to prove that his 80-year partnership with NATO is still important to guarantee the future of NATO. A former NATO official said, “The real challenge he faces now is to be a Trump whisper and ensure Trump and America's continued participation in NATO.” However, in Trump's world order, money has the final say. European countries are increasingly aware of Trump's dealings and are avoiding Rutte, who was once seen as an influence on Trump, and directly talking to Trump. So now Rutte wants to do the same. Rutte wants to ensure that NATO can function properly without Washington, or cooperate with the US government, which favors Moscow rather than Brussels. “NATO will not die out,” a NATO official said. “It will only become something else.”

According to Politico, NATO Secretary General Rutte, who leads the world's “most powerful” military alliance, found himself “in the back seat.” France and Britain are seeking a direct agreement with Trump on defense issues. The two countries are forming independent forces with Poland, Germany, and Italy to deal with America's declining support for Ukraine. This means that when Rutte visited the White House on Thursday, he needed to prove that his 80-year partnership with NATO is still important to guarantee the future of NATO. A former NATO official said, “The real challenge he faces now is to be a Trump whisper and ensure Trump and America's continued participation in NATO.” However, in Trump's world order, money has the final say. European countries are increasingly aware of Trump's dealings and are avoiding Rutte, who was once seen as an influence on Trump, and directly talking to Trump. So now Rutte wants to do the same. Rutte wants to ensure that NATO can function properly without Washington, or cooperate with the US government, which favors Moscow rather than Brussels. “NATO will not die out,” a NATO official said. “It will only become something else.”