In the European Parliament, Rutte criticized the idea of a European army without the USA, emphasizing that it would lead to duplications and vulnerability in the face of external threats.

In a recent speech in the European Parliament, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed concerns regarding the proposal for an independent European army separate from NATO. Rutte warned that such a force would create duplications in the defense structure, complicating coordination and weakening Europe's military capabilities. He emphasized that the resources of the European army would be stretched, making them more vulnerable, which would be beneficial for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Rutte also reaffirmed the strong commitment of the U.S. to NATO, despite the uncertainties generated by Trump's demands. While recognizing the need for Europe to take on more responsibility for security, he insisted that this should be done within the framework of the transatlantic alliance. Rutte also highlighted the high costs of building an independent defense capability, including the need to develop a nuclear capacity, which would require significant investments.