NATO leaders say Europe cannot defend itself without US military support

NATO's chief has been making public statements that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States' help, directly rejecting the idea that Europe could go it alone. He also sent a message to President Trump, assuring him that European allies would help protect the US if it were ever needed.

This discussion about the US role in European defense comes as some European leaders, like Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and a former US NATO official have echoed the sentiment that Europe cannot win a conflict without American support. Meanwhile, in Washington, Senator Mitch McConnell warned that the real crisis for NATO is political instability in the US capital, not in Europe.