According to Politico, Trump could not get past European allies’ refusal to allow the U.S. access to military bases for operations involving Iran. Although he did not make specific demands or threaten to reduce U.S. commitments to NATO, he strongly emphasized the issue, feeling betrayed by allies who were blocking operations from bases that—according to him—exist thanks to American power.

Politico notes that countries like Spain and France denying U.S. warplanes access to their airspace struck at the core of Trump’s complaints about NATO, reinforcing his belief that Europeans are ungrateful “free riders.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also questioned:

“We’re not asking them to carry out airstrikes. When we need to use their bases and they say no—then why are we in NATO?”

Focus: Supporting Ukraine

Rutte, according to the report, had little choice but to absorb Trump’s frustration, as his goal is to safeguard NATO’s future and ensure continued support for Ukraine.

He described the meeting as “frank” and acknowledged that Trump was disappointed by the limited military support from European allies.

Shifting European stance?

Rutte insists NATO members are increasing defense spending, but European leaders are also signaling readiness to act more independently.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said Europe–U.S. relations are in a “very difficult period” and stressed the need for independent military capabilities.

Still, Europe has limited short-term ability to reduce reliance on the U.S. As one U.S. official put it:

“NATO means ‘Needs Americans to Operate.’”