NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is praising President Donald Trump for motivating fellow transatlantic alliance members to step up defense spending and getting Russia to the negotiating table for ta

Trump has repeatedly expressed his contention that European countries have been taking advantage of the U.S. by not spending more on defense.

President Trump is scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte around noon on Thursday. The meeting comes as Trump demands that European countries spend more on their own security, including the ongoing costs of supporting Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia.