US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Sweden this week for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers as European allies grapple with uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s commitment to the alliance, planned reductions in US troop deployments and the fallout from the Iran war, according to the Associated Press.
Rubio will attend the meeting in Helsingborg on Friday, one of the final high-level gatherings before NATO leaders convene for a summit in Ankara, Turkey, in July.
The U.S. State Department said Rubio will reiterate Washington’s call for greater defence spending and burden sharing among NATO members. He is also expected to discuss Arctic security issues with NATO’s northern members.
Rubio’s visit comes amid unease in Europe following Trump’s announcement that the United States would reduce its military presence on the continent. Earlier this month, the administration said it would withdraw about 5,000 troops from Europe by cancelling planned deployments to Poland and Germany.
The decision drew concern from allies and lawmakers in Washington, although senior U.S. officials have sought to downplay the move. Vice President JD Vance said the change represented a delayed troop rotation rather than a reduction in forces, while Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described it as a temporary measure.
Ahead of the NATO meeting, the alliance’s top military officer, Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, said he did not expect additional troop drawdowns beyond those already announced.
Trump has repeatedly criticised European allies for relying too heavily on US military support and has demanded increased defence spending. His comments about wanting control of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, have also strained relations with European governments.
For many allies, Rubio has served as a more reassuring figure than Trump. The Associated Press noted that his diplomatic style and comparatively measured tone have made him a key envoy in maintaining relations with NATO partners.
Following the NATO meeting, Rubio will travel to India, where he is expected to meet Indian officials and hold talks with counterparts from Australia and Japan as part of the Quad grouping.
The NATO discussions are expected to focus on alliance cohesion, military commitments and the broader geopolitical impact of the Iran conflict and rising energy prices.
