NATO chief, US secretary of state discuss global conflicts amid alliance tensions

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Wednesday in Washington to discuss the Iran war and efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the State Department.

They focused on “increasing coordination and burden shifting with NATO Allies,” spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

The meeting occured during a volatile period for the alliance, as US President Donald Trump intensifies his criticism of member states for their refusal to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz.

The US president labeled the alliance’s lack of participation in securing the waterway as “a mark on NATO that will never disappear.” Trump argued that protecting the vital oil route is not solely Washington’s duty, even threatening to withdraw the US from the organization.

Rutte is scheduled to meet Trump later in the day.