NATO Secretary-General Says Europe Can’t Defend Itself Without US Help NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that Europe cannot defend itself without the assistance of the United States. He addressed European Union parliamentarians, emphasizing that the EU’s 27 member states, many of whom are NATO members, are reliant on the US for defense. Rutte also highlighted the mutual need between the US and Europe, asserting that the US requires NATO, a secure Arctic, and a secure Euro-Atlantic region.

• Europe cannot defend itself without the help of the United States.
• A majority of the EU’s 27 member states are also members of NATO.
• The United States and Europe are mutually dependent.
• The US needs NATO, a secure Arctic, and a secure Euro-Atlantic region.