NATO Secretary General to Visit Washington to Ease Tensions Before Ankara Summit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to visit Washington from June 23 to 25, aiming to defuse tensions before the Alliance's annual summit in Ankara in July, according to Euronews.

The visit comes amid preparations for a summit that NATO officials hope will be more cohesive after months of transatlantic disputes. Sources say Rutte seeks to mend ties between Washington and its allies after European opposition to the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran caused friction.

The recent agreement between the US and Iran has reduced the risk of the summit turning into a confrontation between President Donald Trump and European leaders. "Now that we have a deal, it puts us in a better position," an unnamed NATO official told Euronews, adding that Trump will be in a better mood following the Iranian peace deal.

Tensions escalated when some NATO members initially refused to grant US forces access to European bases for operations related to the Iran conflict. Germany later provided full access to Ramstein Air Base, used to coordinate drone and missile strikes. However, relations soured after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized US actions. Trump responded by reducing the US military presence in Germany and reprimanding allies he felt were unsupportive.

At the summit, European efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Iran ceasefire will be a key topic. Reports indicate that Trump, on the sidelines of the G7, offered to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia in exchange for European help in mine-clearing the Strait of Hormuz.

Chancellor Merz is planning to meet with European leaders later this month to develop a strategy for improving relations with Trump at the July NATO summit.