Rutte Welcomes US Defence Policy Chief to NATO Headquarters as Allies Discuss European Force Posture

BRUSSELS, Belgium — August 28, 2026: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed U.S. Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge A. Colby to NATO Headquarters on Thursday, August 27, as the Alliance intensified discussions on deterrence, defence and the future distribution of security responsibilities between Europe and the United States. Colby met with the North Atlantic Council (NAC), NATO’s principal political decision-making body, where he briefed Allied representatives on the ongoing U.S. review of its force posture in Europe.

The discussions provided an opportunity for Allies to exchange views on how NATO can continue strengthening its collective defence while ensuring that European members take on a greater share of responsibility for the security of the Alliance.

Rutte recalled that Colby had earlier this year described the emerging approach as “NATO 3.0,” a concept centred on building a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO. The idea calls for the United States and its European Allies to share the burden of collective security more fairly while maintaining the transatlantic bond at the heart of NATO.

The Secretary General pointed to progress made at the recent NATO Summit in Ankara as evidence that Allies are already moving in that direction. In particular, he highlighted a $139 billion increase in defence spending by European Allies and Canada in 2025, describing the rise as a significant step towards a stronger and more balanced Alliance.

The discussions come as NATO continues adapting its defence posture to a changing security environment and places greater emphasis on ensuring that its members have the capabilities, resources and readiness required to deter potential threats and defend Allied territory. NATO Allies welcomed the engagement surrounding the U.S. force posture review and stressed the importance of maintaining close consultation and cooperation throughout the process.

While the review is being led by the United States, its implications are of direct interest to NATO members because American military capabilities remain an important component of the Alliance’s collective defence.

The meeting also underscored the evolving relationship between the United States and its European partners, with NATO seeking to strengthen European defence capabilities while preserving the unity and effectiveness of the transatlantic Alliance.

As Allies continue implementing the commitments made at the Ankara Summit, discussions over burden-sharing, defence spending and the future deployment of U.S. forces in Europe are expected to remain central to NATO’s security agenda.