NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will travel to Washington next week for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, his spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed. The visit to the American capital had been planned for some time, while the details of the schedule are expected to be released in the coming days. The meeting is set to take place at a sensitive moment for the military alliance. For Rutte, this visit is seen as an opportunity to ease tensions within NATO, which have increased following the conflict in Iran and differing stances among member countries regarding U.S. intervention. President Trump has recently expressed strong dissatisfaction with allies, criticizing them for distancing themselves from U.S. military intervention in Iran and for lacking readiness to participate in potential missions to protect oil and gas transport in the Strait of Hormuz. According to recent statements, President Trump is even considering the possibility of the U.S. withdrawing from NATO, a move that would have significant consequences for global security and the alliance itself. The agenda of the talks is also expected to include efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as preparations for the NATO summit to be held in Turkey in July. At this summit, leaders are expected to refocus on a fairer distribution of financial and military burdens within the alliance, while Trump is calling on European countries to take greater responsibility for their own defense.