Europe raises prospect of European Union army after US threats to leave NATO

According to him, the decision on a possible US withdrawal from NATO depends solely on President Donald Trump. At the same time, José Manuel Albares recalled that after the September 11 attacks, the Alliance’s members stood in solidarity with Washington.

"NATO is a mutually beneficial alliance for both Europeans and Americans ... ​But the US administration's remarks and new positions on Euro-Atlantic ​security are inviting us Europeans to take a leap in terms of ‌our ⁠sovereignty and defence matters," he said.

The Spanish foreign minister added that Europe must take care of the security of its own citizens.

"We must take our citizens' security and dissuasion into our own hands," the diplomat stressed.

According to him, to achieve this, the European Union should move toward creating a pan-European army, integrating its defense industry, and establishing a single digital market and a capital markets union.

Rift between the US and NATO

Since the start of the war, Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil supplies passes. Following this, Donald Trump called on NATO allies to help unblock it by sending their ships to the region, but some partners refused to take part in the operation.

At the same time, several allies publicly stated that this was "not their war." In particular, Spain declined to support the US operation against Iran, forcing the Americans to withdraw aircraft from Spanish bases. As reported by Defense Minister Margarita Robles, the US relocated around 12 KC-135 refueling aircraft from bases in Morón de la Frontera and Rota.

After that, Donald Trump ordered the suspension of all relations with Spain over its refusal to grant the US access to military bases.

Amid the dispute, he also said that NATO is a "one-way street" and noted that he is seriously considering withdrawing the US from the Alliance, as it did not join Washington’s operation against Iran.