The meeting, described as “very positive” by a government spokesperson, follows recent criticisms from former President Donald Trump regarding NATO commitments. Rubio emphasized the need to reassess NATO’s value to the U.S., particularly in light of perceived lack of support from various NATO allies for U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran. Concurrently, SPD’s Lars Klingbeil is advocating for further economic relief measures in response to rising fuel prices, calling for a flexible price cap on fuel and the introduction of a windfall tax to alleviate citizens’ mobility costs.