U.S. cuts to NATO crisis forces effective immediately, Rutte says

NATO chief Mark Rutte confirmed that the US reduction in crisis forces contributions has taken effect immediately, with other allies stepping up to fill the gaps.

The ​reduction of ​U.S. contributions to ‌NATO's crisis ​forces has taken effect immediately, NATO chief Mark ‌Rutte said on Thursday, adding other allies were stepping up to fill the gaps ‌left by the U.S. move.

"The question ‌yesterday came up: Is this immediate or not? It is immediate," Rutte told reporters ahead ⁠of ​a ⁠meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels.

"However, why ⁠I'm a little bit reluctant to say ​this is because it is a planning ⁠tool. So what would happen in reality? If ⁠war ​would break out ... all allies, including the U.S., will max out ⁠what they can do to make sure ⁠we ⁠can fight the war."