NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has rejected calls for a separate European army, saying it would weaken Europe and benefit Russia.

Speaking to the European Parliament, he insisted Europe should strengthen its own defense efforts within NATO, not outside the U.S.-led alliance.

Rutte dismissed doubts about U.S. commitment under President Donald Trump, arguing Washington remains firmly behind NATO despite tensions over Greenland.

He warned a standalone European force would duplicate existing structures, strain already limited military personnel, and cost far more than current defense spending targets, Reuters has reported.

Rutte added that abandoning NATO would also mean losing the U.S. nuclear umbrella, calling the idea unrealistic and dangerous.