US President Donald Trump has reiterated criticism of NATO following a closed-door meeting with Secretary General Mark Rutte, as questions persist over Washington’s commitment to the alliance.
In a Truth Social post following the talks, Trump wrote: “NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!! President DJT” — emphasising his ongoing frustration with NATO allies and revisiting the Greenland issue.
Speaking to CNN after his private meeting with the US president, Rutte declined to say directly whether Trump raised his threat to withdraw from the military alliance over the Iran war, but described the exchange as a “very frank, very open” discussion between “two good friends”.
Ahead of the White House visit, Rutte met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to talk about Iran, Russia’s war against Ukraine and NATO responsibilities.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters ahead of the meeting that a possible withdrawal is “something the president has discussed, and I think it’s something the president will be discussing in a couple of hours with Secretary General Rutte.”
Discussions also covered Operation Epic Fury, the Russia–Ukraine war, and coordination within NATO, shortly after a two-week US–Iran ceasefire was agreed.
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