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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday said he understands U.S. President Donald Trump’s disappointment with allies over the war with Iran after their meeting at the White House.
He added that a large majority of European countries had lived up to their commitments by providing support such as basing, logistics, and overflight access, according to remarks he gave to CNN after meeting Trump at the White House.
Rutte made the comments after a closed-door meeting with Trump, who later wrote on Truth Social that NATO "wasn't there when we needed them, and they won't be there if we need them again."
Rutte described the discussion as "very frank" and "open" and said Trump was clearly disappointed with many allies.
Rutte said the large majority of European countries had done what they had promised in a situation like this.
"What the U.S. did with Iran, they could do because so many European countries lived up to those commitments," he said.
He said those forms of support included basing, logistics, overflights, and ensuring that commitments were met.
Rutte added that not all countries had done so and said he understood Trump's disappointment about that, but described the overall picture as more nuanced.
He also said only the United States had been able at that point to degrade Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capacity in that way.
When asked whether NATO thought the U.S. and Israel had waged an illegal war against Iran, Rutte said no.
He said NATO had always taken the position that degrading Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities was crucial and that Iran must never obtain those capabilities.
Rutte said there was widespread support for that point of view.
He also said he supported Trump, and that large parts of Europe did as well, when it came to taking out Iran's capacity to export what he described as chaos to the region, to Europe, and to the wider world.
Rutte added that Iran is one of the main enablers of Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
When asked whether the world was safer because of the war on Iran, he replied, "Absolutely."
Rutte said European countries had preferred diplomacy.
At the same time, he said there was a risk that prolonged talks could lead to a point where the issue could no longer be brought under control.
He said that risk was similar to what he called a North Korean moment, where negotiations continue for so long that eventually it becomes too late to prevent nuclear capability from being achieved.
When asked about Trump's threat to kill the entire Iranian civilization, Rutte declined to comment.
Instead, he repeated that he supported the president on the issue of taking out Iran's ability to project instability.
Trump continued criticizing NATO allies after the meeting, writing on Truth Social that "NATO WASN'T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON'T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN."
He also added: "REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!"
Before the meeting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump would likely discuss with Rutte whether the United States was still considering withdrawing from NATO.
Rutte declined to answer directly whether Trump had told him he would seek to leave the alliance.
He said there was clear disappointment but added that Trump had also listened carefully to his arguments.
Rutte also said much of Europe supports the president when it comes to taking out Iran's capacity to export instability.
Leaders of a number of European countries also welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States and said their governments would contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
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