Nato chief Mark Rutte warned Monday Europe cannot defend itself without the United States, in the face of calls for the continent to stand on its own feet after tensions over Greenland. The diplomatic crisis gave fresh momentum to those advocating for Europe to take a tougher line against Trump and break its military reliance on Washington. “If anyone thinks here again, that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the US -- keep on dreaming. The Nato head reiterated his repeated praise for Trump for pressuring reluctant European allies to step up defense spending. He also appeared to knock back a suggestion floated by the EU’s defense commissioner Andrius Kubilius earlier this month for a possible European defense force that could replace US troops on the continent.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 27, 2026 12:43 UTC