Rutte's Florida visit sets stage for crucial NATO-US talks
Mark Rutte, the NATO Secretary General, travelled to Florida to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence. This information was reported by the Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf." Rutte travelled on a Dutch government plane because NATO does not have its own aircraft.
According to "De Telegraaf," Rutte's discussions with Trump are expected to focus on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and defence spending. Rutte arrived in Florida on Thursday, as confirmed by diplomatic sources in NATO cited by the German agency dpa.
The spokesperson for the NATO chief did not confirm the planned meeting with Trump. However, if it does take place, it will be Rutte's first meeting with an American politician since he assumed the position of NATO Secretary General in October.
Rutte is known as a composed negotiator. In 2018, he earned the nickname "Trump whisperer" after he defused a tense atmosphere during a NATO meeting in Brussels when Trump criticized allies for low defence spending.
Rutte also works well with outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, who praised his commitment and negotiation skills. The meeting with Trump could be crucial for the future relations between NATO and the U.S.
