"He does a lot of good things. I will defend him now and then this afternoon just to annoy you," the NATO chief said of Trump during a committee appearance at the European Parliament.
Rutte thanks Trump for getting NATO countries to spend more on their defense. He also emphasizes the continued great importance of the United States.
"If anyone here believes that the EU and Europe can defend itself without the US, keep dreaming! Because we can't," the NATO chief said.
At the same time, he urges members of parliament to continue working on "military mobility" to facilitate border crossings, roads and bridges.
"It is extremely important that the bridges can not only carry my Saab - it is 20 years old now - but also a tank," Rutte said in Brussels.
