Marco Rubio says U.S.-European frictions "must not be allowed to break" their partnership

Speaking in Greece, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited growing defense budgets as evidence that Europe is emerging from inactivity. He referenced a commitment by Britain and other NATO countries to lift military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, amid worries about Russia and China and President Trump’s push for allies to shoulder more of their own defense. London is under scrutiny to clarify how it will fulfill that goal, with media reports saying Prime Minister Andy Burnham is weighing a delay to a key spending benchmark. Near the Acropolis, Rubio said U.S.-European frictions should not end their partnership, arguing it must be strengthened to face modern dangers, and he connected classical Greek principles to Trump’s America First platform.