NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte offered strong praise Thursday for President Trump’s military campaign against Iran, calling the operation a critical step in weakening Tehran’s nuclear capabilities even as some European leaders have publicly criticized or distanced themselves from the strikes.
Speaking during a roundtable with reporters, Rutte said the U.S. military action was essential and applauded the president’s decision to move forward with the campaign.
“What the US did is crucial,” Rutte said. “I commend the president for doing that.”
Rutte argued that both last year’s Midnight Hammer bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and the more recent military effort, known as Operation Epic Fury, were instrumental in reducing Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“This whole operation, Epic Fury, and the bombing last year is all part of degrading the nuclear capability,” Rutte said. “Which is crucial for Europe; crucial for, of course, the Middle East.”
His comments contrasted sharply with the positions taken by several European political leaders, some of whom criticized Trump’s approach toward Iran or sought to distance their countries from the military operation. During the conflict, several nations also declined to provide direct support for the campaign, with some refusing to allow the United States to use jointly operated military bases or access their airspace.
Among the most vocal critics was Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who in March condemned the U.S.-led operation as “illegal, reckless and unjust.” Sánchez also warned that the West could not “play Russian roulette with the destiny of millions of people.”
Spain became a focal point of frustration over NATO support during the conflict, barring U.S. war-related flights from Spanish airspace while also refusing to permit American forces to use jointly operated military bases as part of the campaign.
Despite those disagreements, Rutte maintained that Europe still played a significant supporting role throughout the operation.
“More generally speaking, Europe functioned as the power projection platform of the US,” he said, pointing to the thousands of U.S. military sorties launched from bases across Europe.
Rutte also credited President Trump with driving a major shift in NATO defense spending, saying European nations have increased their military investments after years of falling behind the United States.
“I would say largely thanks to this president,” Rutte said. “I credit him for this.”
The NATO secretary also addressed Trump’s recent comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, noting what he viewed as an evolving relationship between the two leaders after Trump described Zelensky as “courageous” following their Oval Office meeting on Wednesday.
According to Rutte, Trump’s remarks reflected growing recognition that Ukrainian forces have recently achieved notable successes on the battlefield.
“I think what the president also acknowledged … is that the Ukrainians are doing quite well,” Rutte said.
He cited Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil refineries and military targets located deep inside Russian territory while arguing that Russian forces continue to suffer losses of roughly 35,000 troops each month.
Rutte also dismissed suggestions that the Trump administration’s attention had shifted away from Ukraine because of the conflict with Iran. He said President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner remain actively engaged in efforts to broker a settlement.
Rutte argued that the lack of progress stems not from a lack of American focus but from Russia’s unwillingness to participate.
“I don’t think it’s a lack of focus [on the Ukraine war,]” he said. “It is absolutely part of the fact that the Russians are not really involved.”
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