Mark Rutte
Secretary General of NATO since 2024 and former Prime Minister of the Netherlands (2010–2024)
- 2d ago
Macron's final Bastille Day parade showcases European rearmament with 6,800 troops and Ukrainian soldiers on the Champs-Élysées
President Emmanuel Macron presided over his tenth and final 14 July military parade on Tuesday, transforming the Champs-Élysées into a display of European military cohesion with 6,800 soldiers, 500 foreign troops from 35 nations, and 25 Ukrainian service members marching alongside French forces.
- 4d ago
Threats then 'love': Trump's capricious NATO summit in Ankara yields $160bn in new pledges
The US president berated alliance partners over Iran and defence spending, then spoke of 'love' and praised Zelenskyy just hours later, as NATO allies announced $160bn in fresh defence, energy and Ukraine commitments.
- 6d ago
Ukraine's drone campaign cripples Russian refineries, triggering fuel crisis for 50 million
A wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and fuel depots has triggered a nationwide fuel crisis, with long queues, rationing, and remote work directives spreading across multiple regions.
- 6d ago
Former Dutch health minister Hugo de Jonge to testify before Covid inquiry on final day before summer recess
The parliamentary inquiry into the Dutch Covid-19 response will hear from its central figure on Friday, as former health minister Hugo de Jonge appears for the first time before the committee in The Hague.
- Jul 9
Trump threatens Spain trade halt, renews Greenland claim at NATO summit before praising 'great time'
The US president arrived in Ankara furious over Iran war support, threatened to cut trade with Spain and revive a bid for Greenland, then declared the summit 'extraordinarily successful'.
- Jul 9
Polish ministers hail NATO summit above expectations as Europe assumes more defense responsibility
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said all Polish goals were met, from fuel pipeline expansion to Patriot missile servicing, while praising the unity of the Polish delegation and NATO's reaffirmed commitment to collective defense.
- Jul 9
Oil prices surge then ease after US strikes on Iran and Trump declares ceasefire over
Brent crude touched $80 a barrel on Wednesday after the US bombed Iranian targets and President Trump declared the ceasefire "over", before pulling back on Thursday as markets steadied.
- Jul 9
Czech president and PM clash at NATO summit, allies warn of reputational damage over low defence spending
President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš attended the NATO summit in Ankara in separate delegations, sat far apart at the group photo, and gave contrasting accounts of the informal dinner, drawing allied concern over Czech reliability.
- Jul 8
Hegseth cancels Israel trip as Netanyahu opposes Trump's F-35 sale to Turkey
The US defense secretary was set to reassure Israel over a potential F-35 deal with Turkey, but the visit was called off hours after Trump pledged to lift sanctions and sell the jets.
- Jul 8
Spain brushes off Trump’s threat to cut all trade as ‘expected’ after his NATO summit attack
The Spanish government responded calmly after President Donald Trump threatened to sever all trade with Madrid during a NATO summit in Ankara, calling the remarks ‘expected’ and stressing the strong bilateral ties.
- Jul 8
Trump threatens to cut Spain ties at NATO summit, then reverses after defence deals and 'important payment'
At the Ankara summit, the US President insulted Spain and ordered a trade cutoff, only to hail its 'generosity' hours later after defence contracts worth billions were signed.
- Jul 8
Trump renews Greenland takeover demand at NATO summit; Danish PM says island 'not for sale'
President Trump reiterated his desire for US control of Greenland during the NATO summit in Ankara, prompting a sharp rebuke from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who declared the autonomous territory 'not for sale'.
- Jul 6
NATO's Rutte says European allies and Canada now spend nearly 4% of GDP on defence ahead of Ankara summit
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that European members and Canada have raised defence spending to almost 4% of GDP, with an additional $258 billion in investments expected for 2025–2026, as leaders prepare to meet in Ankara.
- Jul 6
Trump and EU leaders head to Ankara for NATO summit as Turkey pushes for F-35 engines and defence role
The 36th NATO summit opens in Ankara on 7–8 July, with Donald Trump making the first US presidential visit to Turkey in 17 years and EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa holding separate talks with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
- Jul 1
Grapperhaus emotional over curfew signature, Van Dissel takes blame for herd immunity controversy at Dutch corona inquiry
Former justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus broke down recalling his reluctant signature on the 2021 curfew, while ex-OMT chair Jaap van Dissel admitted fault for the herd immunity uproar and called the government's COVID rules a 'spaghetti mess'.
- Jun 29
Halsema questioned on 'disproportionate' curfew as Dutch corona inquiry turns to unrest
The parliamentary inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic hears Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema and former police chief Henk van Essen on Monday, focusing on the controversial curfew of early 2021 and the unrest it sparked.
- Jun 28
US Congress mobilises to block Turkey's return to F-35 programme over Russian S-400 system
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers, led by Representative Dina Titus, is pressing House leadership to be ready to block any move by the Trump administration to reintegrate Turkey into the F-35 programme, ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara.
- Jun 25
Trump praises Poland's Nawrocki as 'fighter', slams Western allies in Oval Office meeting with NATO chief
During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Donald Trump expressed deep disappointment with European allies while singling out Poland and President Karol Nawrocki for praise. The US president also hinted at a possible F-35 sale to Turkey and confirmed his attendance at the upcoming Ankara summit.
- Jun 25
Trump hints at F-35 sale to Turkey, pushes $700m engine deal despite Congress objections
President Trump said he would 'probably do something' to make Turkey's Erdogan 'very happy,' as his administration pushes a $700 million jet engine sale despite congressional objections, ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara.
- Jun 24
E5 leaders back Ukraine support and NATO's European pillar ahead of Ankara summit
Leaders of Europe's five biggest defence spenders agreed five joint messages in Berlin on Wednesday, aiming to project transatlantic unity on Ukraine and Iran before the NATO summit in Ankara early next month.
