STORY: NATO's chief Mark Rutte said on Friday (May 22) he welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to send 5,000 troops to Poland, through he added the trend is still towards a stronger Europe less reliant on the United States for its defence.

"Let's be clear, the trajectory we are on, which is a stronger Europe and a stronger NATO, making sure we will over time, step by step, be less reliant on one ally only ... will continue," Rutte told reporters ahead of a NATO meeting in Sweden's Helsingborg.

Trump surprised NATO allies by pledging to send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, only hours before Secretary of State Marco Rubio was to meet alliance ministers in Sweden on Friday amid deep divisions over the Iran war.

Trump, in a Truth Social post, cited his relationship with Poland's conservative nationalist president, Karol Nawrocki, as the reason behind his decision to send additional troops.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

NATO's Rutte welcomes Trump sending troops to Poland

VIDEO SHOWS: NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE ARRIVING FOR NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING, COMMENTING ON TROOPS TO POLAND, NATO SPENDING

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN (MAY 22, 2026) (NATO TV - Access all)

1. NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE ENTERING ROOM FOR PRESS BRIEFING

2. VARIOUS OF RUTTE SPEAKING

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL, MARK RUTTE, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE STARTS OVER WIDE SHOT)

“Well, of course, I welcome the announcement. Our military commanders are working through all the details, but of course, I welcome it. But let's be clear, the trajectory we are on, which is a stronger Europe and a stronger NATO, making sure we will over time, step by step, be less reliant on one ally only, as we have been for so long, which is the United States. So that also for them, they have the possibility and the option to pivot more towards other priorities, which are also in our interest, will continue. But of course, I very much welcome the announcement yesterday.”

4. PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL, MARK RUTTE, SAYING:

“When you zoom out, you clearly see the trajectory. The trajectory is that European allies are spending more. I've mentioned yesterday again the German example, but I could mention the Dutch example, the Polish example. So many examples in Europe, Sweden, where we are today, already reaching the 5%, including the 3.5 core defence spending by 2030, five years ahead of schedule. And this is necessary not only to equalise what you're spending with the United States, but also to make sure that we have what we need to deter and defend against our adversaries, including our long-term threat, which is Russia. And the U.S. will play a key role in Europe when it comes to the nuclear, but also when it comes to the conventional. But what you will be seeing over the coming time is a step-by-step process where the Europeans step up more, which is really important. The Americans acknowledge this. And within that process, you will always have, of course, decisions and announcements which are part of the longer-term trajectory.”

6. PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL, MARK RUTTE, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE STARTS OVER WIDE SHOT)

“We can be maximum helpful as European allies with the United States to see how we can make sure that the freedom of navigation, and this is what is at stake here, the Strait of Hormuz is at this moment choked off and the free movement of navigation is seriously under threat here. Of course, this is an interest also for all allies, not for NATO maybe as an alliance, but clearly, wherever we can help, we will be there. Thank you so much.”

8. RUTTE LEAVING