President Donald Trump meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2025.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands ― Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday called Russia “the most significant and dire threat facing this alliance,” an assessment that could cause friction with the group’s largest member nation, currently led by a president who routinely defends Russia’s dictator, Vladimir Putin.

This week’s summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was shortened down to a social dinner hosted by Netherlands’ king Tuesday night, and then a two-hour business meeting on Wednesday as a way to minimise the disruptions Donald Trump can cause, Nato analysts said.

Rutte, nevertheless, tried to assure the other 31 member countries that he is still focused on Russia’s “war of aggression” against its neighbour, Ukraine. To a question from a Ukrainian journalist, he said that the joint statement at the summit’s end will, contrary to reports, support that country.

“You will see important language about Ukraine, including connecting the defense spending up to 2035 to Ukraine and the need for Ukraine to stay in the fight. This is a clear commitment by allies,” Rutte said.

He added that a commitment made by NATO a year ago to eventually allow Ukraine into the alliance remains in effect.

“Nato allies........

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