NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted European support for US military operations during the Iran conflict ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump.
"When it comes to NATO, I know there is disappointment, but let's also see these are isolated cases," Rutte told US broadcaster Fox News on Tuesday.
US officials have repeatedly criticized what they see as insufficient support from allies during the Iran war, including over access to military bases and overflight rights.
Rutte said there had been thousands of US military aircraft take-offs and landings at European bases during the conflict, describing the continent as a "platform of power projection" for the United States. He was referring to the fact that European bases, due to their geographic proximity, significantly facilitate US military operations in regions such as Africa and the Middle East.
Rutte is due to meet Trump in Washington on Wednesday ahead of a NATO summit scheduled for Ankara in two weeks, in talks aimed at easing tensions within the alliance.
Trump earlier this week again accused several European allies of failing to provide adequate support, naming the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy without offering details.
