The United States is not stepping back from NATO despite its cuts to forces available to the alliance, and European members are prepared to contribute more troops if necessary, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Wednesday.
His statement, ahead of a NATO defense ministers' meeting on Thursday, came after the US told allies last month it would cut the military assets committed to the alliance in a crisis.
Rutte defends US cuts to NATO force model
"In some cases this has been cast as a problem — as the US pulling away from its allies," he said. "But that is not the reality. The US has made clear that it is committed to NATO."
He said the commitment came with the expectation that other members would share responsibility for Europe's security.
