"I see a community that extends across the Atlantic. I am confident that the United States and its allies can strengthen our freedom today and in the future," Rutte said during a speech in Washington, adding later during a question-and-answer session:
NATO is there to protect Europe, but also the United States.
During his speech at the Ronald Reagan Institute, Rutte praised US President Donald Trump for, as he described it, reversing a stagnant trend for the military alliance.
He also said that "some" NATO members were "a little slow" in helping the US during the Iran war.
However, he added that member states "were also quite surprised, to be honest" by the US decision to attack Iran.
To preserve the element of surprise in the initial attacks, President Trump chose not to inform allies in advance.
Rutte said that European NATO countries are providing "great support" today.
Almost without exception, allied countries do everything the United States asks.
On Wednesday, Rutte met with Trump for a private conversation.
After the meeting, Trump reiterated his dissatisfaction with allies not wanting to help in the US-Israeli war.
"NATO wasn't there when we needed them, and they won't be there when we need them again," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
