Trump accuses NATO of 'letting down' US ahead of Ankara summit
The White House has requested $87.6 billion in supplemental funding for military operations as tensions escalate over the Strait of Hormuz and preparations intensify for the July NATO gathering.
US President Donald Trump has accused NATO allies of failing to support Washington’s military campaign against Iran, stating that the United States had "demolished" the adversary without requiring external assistance. During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump expressed disappointment that the transatlantic alliance did not back the conflict, which began with joint strikes by the US and Israel on 28 February.
"We were let down. We didn't need help on this at all," Trump told reporters following the discussion. He noted that while Washington achieved its objectives in the first week of the conflict, it "would have been nice" if allies had offered support. The President’s remarks come just two weeks before the NATO summit in Ankara, scheduled for 7-8 July, where leaders from the 32 member nations are set to convene.
Rutte defended the contributions of NATO members, highlighting that between 4,000 and 5,000 US aircraft operated from European bases during the hostilities. Following the meeting, the NATO chief told journalists that Trump remained "completely committed to the NATO alliance" and affirmed that Washington would "absolutely" protect Europe in the event of an attack.
The diplomatic friction underscores broader strategic shifts within the alliance. Washington has indicated a desire for European allies to assume primary responsibility for their own conventional defence as US strategic focus pivots towards China. Consequently, the Pentagon has informed partners that it is reducing the number of assets available for NATO operations globally, a move that has sparked concerns among European nations regarding their vulnerability to Russian aggression.
Compounding the geopolitical tensions, the White House has formally requested $87.6 billion in supplemental spending to fund military operations in Iran and provide agricultural assistance. Meanwhile, security concerns have intensified following Iran’s announcement that it would target ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim disputed by US Central Command, which maintains that commercial transit continues.
