President Donald Trump received high praise from NATO leadership at the 2025 summit in The Hague following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called Trump a “man of strength” and a “man of peace,” applauding both the military strike and the president’s role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Opening a joint appearance with Trump, Rutte commended the president’s military decision and diplomatic follow-through. “I just want to recognize your decisive action on Iran,” Rutte said.
“You are a man of strength, but you are also a man of peace. And the fact that you are now also successful in getting this ceasefire done between Israel and Iran — I really want to commend you for that.”
En route to the summit, Trump had posted screenshots of personal messages from Rutte on Truth Social, in which the NATO leader praised the president for his bold approach.
“Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do. It makes us all safer,” Rutte wrote.
5% Defense Spending Pledge
Rutte also lauded Trump’s efforts to get NATO allies to increase defense spending, calling it a historic breakthrough.
All member states except Spain reportedly agreed to spend 5% of their GDP on defense — a figure far above NATO’s traditional 2% guideline.
“You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done,” Rutte told Trump, praising his tenacity in reshaping NATO’s defense priorities.
Though implementation timelines vary, the agreement marks a major rhetorical and political victory for Trump, who has long demanded greater contributions from NATO members while arguing that the U.S. shoulders an unfair burden.
Mixed Reactions from Allies on Iran Strike
While NATO leadership praised Trump, not all European leaders embraced the airstrikes without caution.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a carefully worded statement that echoed concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions while urging a return to diplomacy.
“Iran’s nuclear program is a grave threat to international security… The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority,” Starmer wrote on X. “We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney struck a similar tone, expressing support for regional de-escalation and linking the crisis to broader issues like the ongoing war in Gaza.
“The resolution of the Iranian crisis should lead to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East,” Carney said, referencing previous G7 positions.
Despite the backlash from some progressives in Congress and warnings from European diplomats, Trump’s NATO appearance has so far played to his advantage.
By combining military strength with a push for ceasefire diplomacy, the president is attempting to reframe himself not just as a wartime commander-in-chief, but as a global dealmaker.
