The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has again criticised European nations for their lack of support in the US-Israel fight against Iran.
During a meeting with NATO chief, Mark Rutte on Wednesday in the Oval Office of the White House, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction that NATO alliance members did not participate in the military efforts.
“We didn’t need assistance on this at all. We defeated them in literally the first week,” Trump said regarding Iran.
“However, it would have been appreciated if they had expressed a desire to assist. We didn’t even require it, but it would have been nice if they had offered.”
Trump, who has openly contemplated reducing the United States’ involvement in the transatlantic alliance, indicated that he would further address this issue with Rutte in a private discussion.
“We’re going to be discussing what transpired, and we’ll see what unfolds,” he stated.
The US President has often voiced his disappointment that European countries did not contribute more to the US efforts in its conflict with Iran, which triggered weeks of turmoil throughout the Middle East and reverberated through the global economy.
Rutte’s visit to the Oval Office occurs at a pivotal moment, as NATO is scheduled to conduct its annual summit in Ankara, the capital of Turkiye, in approximately two weeks on July 7.
Rutte is generally perceived as sympathetic to Trump, and critics interpret his visit to the White House as an effort to placate the US president.
During the meeting on Wednesday, Trump commended Rutte, referring to him as a “great guy, great leader, great secretary-general.”
