On April 3-4, NATO foreign ministers will convene in Brussels for their spring meeting, where all eyes will be on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Concerns Over U.S. Commitment: Initially welcomed as a pro-Atlanticist in the Trump administration, Rubio now faces skepticism about his real influence on U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine, Russia, and China.
Defense Spending in Focus: Rubio is expected to push European allies to increase their defense budgets, reinforcing Washington’s demand for a fairer burden-sharing within NATO.
Strategic Goals Before the Hague Summit: With NATO’s next key meeting in June, Secretary-General Mark Rutte is urging members to commit to spending at least 3.7% of GDP on defense, a move seen as an attempt to reassure U.S. President Donald Trump. However, some European nations remain hesitant, citing slow economic growth and rising deficits.
As NATO prepares for its 75th anniversary, the challenge remains: keeping the alliance united while meeting rising security demands.
