Why did Trump launch a “tirade of insults” at the NATO Secretary General?
U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a closed meeting at the White House. The reason was Europe’s stance on the conflict with Iran.
As reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Politico, details of the closed negotiations were revealed by sources familiar with the conversation.
Read also: No hard feelings? Trump and Starmer discussed the details of reopening the Strait of Hormuz
“Everything went awry”
The meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was intended as a working visit. However, it quickly turned into something else.
According to European officials, Trump took the opportunity to express his frustration that allies did not support U.S.-Israeli actions against Iran.
“Everything went awry,” described the conversation by one European official. “The discussion was nothing short of a tirade of insults. Trump apparently threatened to do anything.”
The president did not articulate any specific demands. The White House, in turn, denied that Trump had made any conditions to the allies at all.
NATO and European Reaction
Within the alliance, the conversation was characterized as “frank but constructive.” Rutte acknowledged that Trump was dissatisfied but emphasized that NATO’s unity remains.
After the meeting, Trump wrote on social media that NATO “was not there when it was needed.” He also raised the topic of Greenland again.
The reaction from European partners was cautious:
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged the U.S. not to halt negotiations with Iran and expressed readiness to assist in protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after hostilities end.
- France is considering its own defensive measures.
- A coalition of more than 40 countries supports strengthening sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Iran – but without direct military involvement.
The Trump administration is considering a plan to punish certain NATO countries that, in the opinion of the American leader, did not support the U.S. and Israel during the conflict with Iran. Details are not yet available.
After the meeting with Trump, Rutte made a separate statement in Washington. As RBC-Ukraine reported, the NATO Secretary General acknowledged Europe’s excessive dependence on the U.S. military and called it “an unhealthy co-dependence.”
According to him, Trump’s pressure has compelled allies to increase defense budgets, paving the way for equal partnership.
Additionally, Rutte touched on the topic of Ukraine. The Secretary General stated that Ukrainian drone combat technologies are already protecting allies on NATO’s eastern flank and Gulf countries from Russian and Iranian drones.
According to Rutte, these developments did not exist a year ago.
Source: rbc.ua +rel=”nofollow”
