"Trump is not my daddy." EU criticizes Rutte for doubting his self-defense capabilities 0 10

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte faced sharp criticism from Europeans for warning the EU the day before against severing ties with the United States in the field of defense and security.

Speaking in the European Parliament on Monday, Rutte stated that those who believe in Europe's ability to defend itself without American involvement "can continue to dream." He called the U.S. nuclear umbrella "the main guarantor of our freedom," acknowledging that Europe should take on more responsibility for security—a wish that the White House has previously voiced multiple times.

The NATO Secretary General does not share the views of some Eastern European countries and politicians that the continent may need its own unified army capable of acting without U.S. support. "I think this will lead to significant duplication," Rutte noted. "Good luck if you want to do this, as you will have to find additional men and women in uniform, and that will only complicate the situation."

"Independence on Various Fronts"

In response to the NATO Secretary General's speech, the chief spokesperson of the European Commission, Paola Pinho, stated that the EU is currently focusing on becoming "more resilient and independent" on "various fronts," including security and defense.

"We have something to say about how we have managed to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel imports from Russia," she noted. "Such dependence is also evident in other areas: in defense, in critical raw materials. We are doing everything necessary to reduce it."

Pinho referred to a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who last week spoke about an upcoming security strategy that will pay special attention to the Arctic region, which has sparked heated debates.

"We are indeed bringing together a number of measures with one goal—to ensure a gradual achievement of independence," Pinho commented.

"Trump is not my daddy"

Rutte was countered by the foreign ministers of Germany and France. Berlin responded rather mildly: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Europe is "on the right track," while also acknowledging that the issue of increasing nuclear capabilities is "more complicated."

In France, the NATO Secretary General's speech primarily provoked outrage. "No, dear Mark Rutte, Europeans can and must take responsibility for their own security. The United States agrees with this. This is the European pillar of NATO," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on X.

Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for European Affairs, supported this idea, pointing out that it is the EU, not the U.S., that is the largest donor to Ukraine. "We must go much further (in defense matters). We have no other choice. We see a world that is becoming increasingly brutal. We see threats coming from American allies regarding Denmark's sovereignty," Haddad stated in an interview with DW.

French Member of the European Parliament Nathalie Loiseau called Rutte's statement "an outrageous moment." "Rutte thinks that rudeness towards Europeans will please Trump," she wrote on social media. "We do not need a Trump fanatic. NATO needs to restore the balance in the efforts of the U.S. and Europe."

Meanwhile, Charles Michel, former President of the European Council, mocked Rutte for having compared Trump to "daddy" during last year's war between Israel and Iran. "Dear Mark Rutte, you are mistaken. Europe will defend itself. And Donald Trump is not my daddy," he wrote. "The future of Europe requires vision, courage, and leadership, not giving up positions, submission, and fatalism."