US President Donald Trump is “clearly disappointed” with many NATO allies for not supporting the US and Israel’s war on Iran to the extent he wanted, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said after meeting with Trump on Wednesday.
Rutte, who described the meeting as a frank and open discussion between “two good friends,” told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he understood the president’s disappointment. But he said he pointed out to Trump that many European nations helped in other ways, including by providing logistics, overflights, basing and other support.
The president, however, continued to lash out at NATO allies following the meeting.
“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.“REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!”
Asked ahead of the meeting if the US was still considering withdrawing from NATO, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump would likely discuss the matter with Rutte.
Rutte declined to answer whether the president said he would attempt a withdrawal.
“Well, as I said, there is a disappointment, clearly, but at the same time, he was also listening (carefully) to my arguments of what is happening,” Rutte said when pressed on the matter.
Rutte insisted that much of Europe supports the president when it comes to taking out Iran’s capacity to “export chaos.”
In a statement released earlier today, the leaders of a host of European countries welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States and said “our governments will contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”