European countries cannot defend themselves without U.S. military assistance, NATO chief Mark Rutte has said. "If anyone thinks here again that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the U.S., keep on dreaming," Rutte said during an appearance at the European Parliament on Monday. Rutte's comments come as a sharp contrast to remarks from Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who insisted last week European nations could "unequivocally" handle their own defense. The U.S.