NATO Members Have Gotten Trump’s Message on Military Base Usage: Rutte

The Trump administration has been critical of its European NATO allies for failing to adequately support the United States during Operation Epic Fury.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte delivers a speech at Aselsan Defence company as part of his official visit to Turkey, in Ankara on April 22,2026. Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images

NATO members have “gotten the message” from President Donald Trump about agreements allowing the United States to access European bases, the defense alliance’s secretary-general, Mark Rutte, said on May 4.

“Yes, ​there has been some disappointment from the U.S. side, but Europeans have listened,” Rutte told reporters at a European Political Community summit in ​Armenia.