United States President Donald Trump has reportedly floated the idea of withdrawing from NATO over its cold response to the Iran war. The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the US-Israel war on Iran as a “test” that the alliance had failed during a press briefing on Wednesday night.
Despite Trump administration pressure, NATO allies did not pay heed to the calls and denied supporting the US-Israel war on Iran after member states rejected the idea. They rejected pushing forces into a US war on Iran and said the forces were meant for defensive action.
Her comments came shortly before Trump met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House.
“I have a direct quote from the President of the United States on NATO, and I will share it with all of you. They were tested, and they failed,” Leavitt said, adding, “It's quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defence.”
She said the President was preparing to have a very frank and candid discussion with Rutte that afternoon regarding the recent developments.
In an interview, the NATO Chief described the encounter as frank and open, adding that NATO stood by the American side as it had pledged to provide logistics and access to bases.
When asked about the possibility of the US withdrawing from NATO, Rutte said, “There is a disappointment, clearly. But at the same time, he was also listening carefully to my arguments about what was happening.”
The US President has had a mixed relationship with NATO, sometimes threatening to pull US support and, at other times, reassuring allies of the US’s continued commitment to the alliance.
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