President Donald Trump hosted NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Friday, where they discussed recent developments in the Middle East and new sanctions against Russia amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Rutte said he thanked President Trump on behalf of NATO for "everything you’re doing" as a ceasefire deal in Gaza came into effect.
That plan called for an immediate end to the war, the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces to an "agreed upon line," and the demilitarization of Gaza — which includes Hamas giving up all of its weapons.
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Rutte highlighted the need to bolster defenses for Ukraine against aerial attacks from Russian missiles and bombs.
"We need to make sure that the ai