NATO chief Mark Rutte to meet US President Donald Trump during Washington visit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to visit Washington next week, where he will meet US President Donald Trump, the alliance said on Saturday.

The body added the visit will take place from April 8 to 12. On the first day, Rutte is expected to hold talks with Trump, as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

On April 9, the NATO chief will deliver a speech and take part in a discussion hosted by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.

From April 10 to 12, Rutte is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Bilderberg Group.

The visit comes amid growing debate over the future of NATO, after Trump recently criticised the alliance and suggested the United States could reconsider its membership, citing disagreements with allies over support for operations against Iran.