The meeting is an important part of the preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, in July, when heads of state and government will meet.
"We are here to lay the groundwork for what I believe will be one of the more important summit meetings in NATO history," Rubio said.
The talks in Helsingborg are expected to focus on support for Ukraine, on how European NATO countries should strengthen their capabilities as the US seeks to reduce its presence in Europe, and on how the US and other NATO members can increase production of weapons and ammunition.
Criticizes
Rubio criticized NATO as recently as yesterday, before leaving for Sweden.
"I don't think anyone is shocked to hear that the United States, and especially the president, is very disappointed in NATO right now," he said.
On site in Helsingborg, Rubio repeated the criticism.
The president is sincerely disappointed with some allies and their response to our efforts in the Middle East.
He says the issue will need to be discussed during the meeting.
An alliance must be good for everyone involved.
Remarks about soldiers
He comments on the latest surprising announcement from Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform overnight - that the US will send 5,000 soldiers to Poland. Just a week earlier, the Pentagon had said 4,000 prepared soldiers would not be sent there.
Shortly before that, Trump also announced that 5,000 soldiers would be called home from Germany - a reaction to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying that the United States had been humiliated by Iran in the war.
"It's not about any punishments," Rubio said.
He emphasized that the United States must constantly review where American soldiers are needed and where they best serve US interests.
Wants Hormuz support
Rubio intends to raise the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and fears that Iran will begin charging tariffs on international shipping there.
"I don't know of any country in the world that would accept that," Rubio said, adding that the US is trying to get a UN resolution to put a stop to those plans, but that some countries on the Security Council are considering vetoing it.
"We'll see if the UN still works," Rubio said, whose president and administration have repeatedly declared the UN to be more or less incompetent.
