Trump's threats to leave NATO are seen as routine by alliance officials
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
NATO does not feel excessive concern amid new threats by US President Donald Trump to withdraw the country from the alliance, CNN reports.
An unnamed European official called Trump's statements Groundhog Day, as the military-political bloc has already heard similar remarks from him.
However, sources note that it is impossible to completely ignore Trump's threats. Decisions by the US president can be made quickly, so an atmosphere of concern still prevails among some diplomats.
According to one senior European diplomat, some allies view Trump's latest threats as an attempt to pressure European countries to allocate resources to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, other interlocutors do not believe that there is necessarily a connection between these issues.
A NATO diplomat noted that such rhetoric by Trump is a real reflection of his frustration that some allies did not provide the United States with support in the form of overflight and basing rights during the war with Iran.
Earlier, in a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump hinted that the United States could stop further support for Ukraine if allies do not strengthen their commitments to opening the Strait of Hormuz.
When the negotiations did not bring success, alliance member states urgently issued a statement about their readiness to support safe navigation through this strategically important sea route.
Trump's threats
US President Donald Trump stated that he is seriously considering the possibility of the United States leaving NATO. This is because the alliance did not join the US operation against Iran.
He also added that he had never believed in NATO.
This statement came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States may have to reconsider relations with NATO after the end of the war against Iran.
