Rutte Signals NATO Alignment With US Security Demands
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday that member states are doing everything US President Donald Trump has asked of them to strengthen military ties.
“When it came time to provide the logistical and other support that the United States needed in Iran, some allies were, to put it mildly, a bit slow. To be fair, they were also a bit surprised. To preserve the element of surprise in the first strikes, President Trump decided not to inform allies in advance,” Rutte said during a speech in Washington.
“But when I look at Europe today, I see that the allies are providing tremendous support,” he added. “Almost without exception, the allies do everything the United States asks. They have listened and are responding to President Trump’s demands.”
Rutte made the remarks after a meeting with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. He has already informed some capitals that Trump expects concrete commitments in the coming days on efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats said.