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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged that some member states failed to meet expectations during the recent war with Iran, echoing criticism levelled by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The remarks came after a closed-door meeting at the White House, which Rutte described as “very open and honest, between two friends.”
Speaking to CNN, Rutte said that while some allies “fell short,” the majority of NATO countries fulfilled their obligations, recognising that their role is to protect the United States and maintain a secure Europe and Atlantic.
“I completely understand [Trump’s] disappointment, but it’s not a black-and-white issue,” he added.
Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO, calling it a “paper tiger” and questioning whether the U.S. should remain in the alliance. His latest frustration stemmed from the Allies’ refusal to provide the requested military assistance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Rutte confirmed that Trump “clearly told me that he expected this outcome over the past two weeks.”
The tensions follow Trump’s long-standing disputes with NATO, including his proposal to take control of Greenland — a territory owned by Denmark — which the alliance rejected. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump discussed the possibility of withdrawing from NATO during the meeting. Any unilateral withdrawal is blocked by a 2023 congressional law that prevents a president from exiting the alliance without approval.
Over the past year, NATO has faced further strain as Trump reduced U.S. military support for Ukraine and criticised allies for restricting access to airspace and military facilities during the Iran conflict. Despite these tensions, Spain, France, and other member states agreed to help form an international coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities cease.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has travelled to the Gulf to support the ceasefire, despite previously drawing Trump’s ire.
NATO’s core principle of collective defence — that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all — has been invoked only once, following the September 11 attacks in 2001. Analysts warn that the latest row highlights ongoing strains within the alliance and the difficulty of maintaining unity amid competing national interests.
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