""Sadly for him, he is missing a good party," Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir told reporters. "Of course, it's always better that the ministers attend here, but I would not describe it as a bad signal.""
""I'm not disappointed," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. "Each of us has a full agenda. And one time the American defense minister is here, and one time not, so it's his decision and his duties he has to fulfill.""
""They have to take care of the whole world. This is the United States," Rutte told reporters before chairing the meeting. "I totally accept it, agree with it.""
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not attend the NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, and Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby represented the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio missed the previous NATO foreign ministers meeting. European and Canadian allies brushed aside concerns that the United States had stepped back from leadership and said they would continue major responsibilities for defending Europe. Icelandic and German ministers characterized the absences as not a damaging signal and pointed to competing duties. The founding-era purpose attributed to Lord Hastings Ismay was recalled. Germany pledged 100 billion euros to modernize its armed forces, and Mark Rutte said the United States must shoulder global responsibilities.
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