NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte pushed back against President Donald Trump’s criticism of Europe during a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying he was “pained” by claims that European allies would not stand by the United States in a crisis. Rutte cited NATO’s long and costly involvement in Afghanistan as proof that allies have fought and sacrificed alongside U.S. forces. The exchange came amid renewed tensions over Greenland and burden-sharing within the alliance, with Trump repeatedly questioning Europe’s commitment to collective defence. The Davos meeting underscored lingering strains in transatlantic ties even as NATO leaders seek to project unity.