President Trump will discuss potentially leaving NATO in a meeting with Secretary General Mark Rutte, following the alliance’s refusal to join the Iran war.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump held high-stakes talks with NATO chief Mark Rutte. The White House confirmed Trump would discuss the possibility of leaving the alliance.
“It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. She confirmed withdrawal was a topic for the meeting.
The talks follow a fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Trump has expressed anger at Western partners for refusing to back his war.
He has branded NATO a “paper tiger” for limiting US force movements. The US leader also personally criticised several allies, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the administration is considering moving US troops out of countries deemed unhelpful. This plan would station them in nations more supportive of the Iran war.
The reported troop plan falls short of a full US withdrawal from NATO. Such a move would require approval from Congress.
Rutte entered the West Wing through a side gate for the closed-door meeting. The former Dutch premier is known for his diplomatic skill with Trump.
“It was a very frank, it was a very open discussion,” Rutte later told CNN.
NATO has faced multiple crises since Trump returned to power last year. These include his threat to seize Greenland from alliance member Denmark.
Trump said his NATO problems “all began” with Greenland earlier this week. He has also threatened not to protect allies unless they spend more on defence.
Russia and China have watched as Trump criticises the alliance. Rutte has been central to efforts to mollify the US leader.
A NATO official said Rutte planned to discuss security dynamics regarding Iran and Ukraine. The secretary general also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.