NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has rejected speculation that the US is ending its membership in the NATO alliance.
“I don’t think the United States will leave NATO,” Rutte said in an interview with Germany’s Sunday Edition. World Newspaper.
The NATO chief said he also does not question continuing US nuclear protection in Europe.
Rutte said, “The US nuclear umbrella is the ultimate guarantee of security here in Europe. And I am confident that it will remain so.”
What did Trump say on leaving NATO?
US President Donald Trump’s recent criticisms of NATO have raised fears that Washington could withdraw from the 32-member transatlantic alliance.
Asked whether he would reconsider US membership after the Iran war, Trump said Britain’s membership Wire: “Oh yes, I would say [it’s] Beyond reconsideration. I have never been deceived by NATO. “I always knew they were paper tigers and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin knows it too.”
needs an american president Two-thirds Senate majority approval Pulling the US out of NATO is a scenario considered highly unlikely.
Rutte says he understands Trump’s frustration with NATO
“President Trump is clearly disappointed with some NATO members,” Rutte said. WorldSaying “I understand their frustration.”
The comments echo what Rutte said after his meeting with Trump at the White House last week following a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.
“He is clearly disappointed with many NATO allies and I can understand his point of view,” Rutte told US broadcaster CNN.
“It was a very frank, very open discussion, but it was also a discussion between two good friends,” said Rutte, who has been dubbed the “Trump whisperer.”
In a post on Truth Social after the meeting, Trump wrote in all caps that “NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again.”
Rutte calls for stronger defense industry in Europe
Root said World During the meeting with Trump on April 8, he was also able to discuss the benefits to Washington from the alliance.
Rutte said, “Europe wants to play a bigger role in NATO. That’s good news. It’s an evolution from an unhealthy dependency toward a transatlantic alliance based on true partnership.”
The NATO chief said the Europeans and Canadians were already significantly increasing their efforts. “Germany is setting an example for many allies in this regard.”
Rutte said he was confident that if this trend continued the transatlantic alliance would become stronger. “And a stronger NATO means a safer world for us all.”
Edited by: Sam Dusan Inayatullah