Trump meets with NATO’s Rutte after canceling Putin meeting citing discomfort

President Donald Trump recently met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Washington, D.C. This meeting took place on October 22, 2025, shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House. Notably, Trump had canceled a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing discomfort about the potential outcome.

Details of the Meeting

During the meeting, Trump stated, “We canceled the meeting with President Putin. It didn’t feel right to me.” He expressed optimism about holding the meeting in the future but emphasized the necessity of ensuring the right conditions.

Discussion on War in Ukraine

Rutte’s visit focused on exploring solutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He noted, however, that “no peace plan is on the table.” His intention was to engage in dialogue with Trump about how NATO could provide maximum support to achieve peace.

• Trump ruled out the immediate arming of Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, citing the extensive training required for their effective use.
• Rutte emphasized the importance of collaboration, particularly alongside recent progress in the Middle East peace negotiations.

Previous Context and Future Engagements

Rutte has made several trips to the White House during Trump’s second term. His discussions have consistently revolved around NATO’s assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in 2022. European leaders have joined efforts to support Zelenskyy in peace talks, pushing for security guarantees for Ukraine.

Despite suggesting earlier that Ukraine might recover lost territory, Trump has since reverted to his stance that negotiations could happen in the future. He reiterated the urgency for an end to hostilities, stating, “Stop fighting, stop killing people.”

Outcome of Recent Communications

The cancellation of the Putin meeting followed a productive call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This development further solidified the decision not to pursue an in-person meeting between Trump and Putin imminently.

As the geopolitical landscape evolves, Trump’s remarks suggest a focus on seeking a resolution to the conflict rather than military escalation. Rutte expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to navigate the complexities of the situation, stating, “He’s the only one who can get this done.”