President Trump briefly commented on the statements from Moscow about the Russian invasion war in Ukraine, and stated that they were "promising but not entirely fulfilling".
Then followed a long series of statements about issues that are close to Trump's heart – but do not directly concern NATO. Trump reiterated his desire to annex Greenland, and for Canada to become a state in the USA, "although they have a good national anthem, they can keep that".
He also defended the American administration's decision to raise and threaten with trade tariffs.
NATO's Secretary General Rutte sat silently beside him during the long press conference inside the White House, and only commented that his family was not ready to move to the USA after an invitation from Trump, and that Greenland's status would not be part of the conversation.
Across from him, in the delegation sofa, sat the US Vice President J D Vance. He too remained silent.
Mark Rutte's task is seen as convincing about continued American support for NATO and the so-called transatlantic link; as well as the USA continuing to support Ukraine in the Russian invasion war.
Rutte is considered one of the European leaders who have had the best contact with Trump, and the former Dutch Prime Minister has therefore been given the nickname Trump whisperer, reports the news agency AFP.
After the media statements in front of TV cameras, the doors to the negotiating rooms in the White House were closed.
