The West is facing developments of historic character, with United States President Donald Trump expected to place before NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte the issue of the United States withdrawing from the North Atlantic Alliance, during a meeting that will take place on 8/4, as announced by the White House.
United States President Donald Trump will discuss the possible withdrawal of the country from the alliance in a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, announced White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, according to RIA Novosti.
“I think Donald Trump will discuss this in a few hours with Secretary General Mark Rutte, and perhaps you will hear directly from the president after the meeting this afternoon,” she stated, responding to a relevant question.
Since the start of the war in Iran, Donald Trump has harshly criticized NATO and the European allies for their refusal to support the joint United States–Israel military operation.
Iran inflicted an unprecedented rift in the West
Trump was particularly angered by the failure of the traditional allies of the United States to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that Iran has essentially blocked since the beginning of the war and through which a significant portion of global oil passes.
At the same time, Iran, in a move of unprecedented strategic intelligence, negotiated bilaterally with European countries, such as France, the passage of their commercial ships through the Hormuz.
And thus, a scene of rupture between Europe and the United States emerged.
It is noted that Trump has stated that the idea of the United States withdrawing from the bloc “is not subject to reconsideration”.
The statements of the President of the United States have caused intense concern among the member states of the alliance.
In January, former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Western countries to find a way to reach an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Karoline Leavitt, representative of the White House
“Bye bye NATO”
On 6/4, United States President Donald Trump stirred the waters by emphasizing, in statements from the White House, that relations between NATO and the United States have been permanently and irreversibly broken, because of the complete unwillingness of the allies of the United States to help open the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed after the outbreak of the war against Iran.
However, as Trump explained, the rift between the United States and his European partners had initially arisen because of the uncompromising stance of Denmark to grant Greenland.
“It all started, if you want the truth, with Greenland. We want Greenland. They do not want to give it to us,” explained the United States president.
Subsequently, Trump explained, the Americans feel indignation about the fact that the countries of the alliance did not help the United States in the operation against Iran.
“And I said, ‘Bye, bye’,” the United States president emphasized.
Rift over Greenland, rupture over the war in Iran
United States President Donald Trump stated that he broke relations with the North Atlantic Alliance because of NATO’s reaction to the desire of one country to control Greenland.
It is noted that the United States leader made these statements during a press conference at the White House on 6/4, which was published on YouTube.
“It all started, if you want the truth, with Greenland. We want Greenland. They do not want to give it to us. And I said, ‘Bye, bye’,” declared Donald Trump.
Earlier, the leader of the United States spoke in harsh terms about NATO, stating that the United States does not need the alliance.
The United States leader emphasized his deep disappointment that the countries of the alliance did not help the United States in the operation against Iran.
He even characterized this fact as “a stain that will never disappear”.
“The United States of America does not need NATO”
United States President Donald Trump made harsh comments about NATO, stating that the United States has absolutely no need for the alliance.
“I must tell you that I am very disappointed with NATO. Clearly we do not need them, they did not help us at all. On the contrary,” he stated.
The United States leader underlined his deep disappointment that the countries of the alliance “did everything possible” to avoid supporting the United States operation against Iran. He characterized this act as “a stain that will never go away”.
Earlier, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev assessed the possibility of the United States withdrawing from NATO, estimating that the United States will not abandon the alliance, as “there is no reason to do so and Congress will not allow it”.
“Although symbolic actions, such as reducing the size of the United States contingent or refusing to supply certain types of equipment, are possible,” he emphasized.
Warning to Europe about closing American bases
At the same time, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Europe that if it limits United States access to military bases funded and operated by Washington, the United States should consider the possibility of closing these bases and withdrawing its troops.
“If Europe does not allow us to use the bases that we staff and finance. we will have to close them,” stated the head of the State Department.
Britain–United States rift over Iran - Starmer: We will not provide bases for strikes on bridges
In a particularly worrying development that intensifies the already explosive geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, Britain appears to be raising a “red line” toward the United States, refusing to allow the use of its military bases for attacks on critical civilian infrastructure in Iran, such as bridges and power generation stations.
According to a revealing report by the iPaper, sources with knowledge of the consultations clarify that such a military option does not align with the strict conditions set by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the use of British bases.
This stance reflects a fragile balance between strategic cooperation and legal and ethical restrictions, during a period in which developments can trigger uncontrollable chain reactions.
Keir Starmer is reportedly giving the “green light” only for operations targeting purely military installations, missile depots, infrastructure related to attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as targets that directly threaten allies or British interests in the region.
Anything that exceeds these limits, and especially strikes on infrastructure used by civilians, is considered prohibitive.
The most worrying element is that, despite the harsh rhetoric, no official request has yet been submitted from Washington to London.
However, diplomatic circles warn that this could change suddenly if tension in the region spirals out of control.
At the same time, experts in matters of international law are sounding the alarm, attacks on energy installations and bridges that serve the civilian population may be characterized as war crimes, opening a new and dangerous cycle of international reactions and possible prosecutions.
As if that were not enough, the situation is further aggravated by explosive statements from United States President Donald Trump, who reportedly threatened the total destruction of Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and energy stations.
Such a prospect causes global concern, as it could lead to a generalized conflict with incalculable consequences.
The question that now hovers is one, are we facing another diplomatic tension or the prelude to a conflict that will radically change the geopolitical map.
The next moves of the great powers will determine whether the crisis will de escalate or whether the world will face a new and dark chapter of instability.
Trump: We are seriously considering withdrawal from NATO - “It is a paper tiger”
It is noted that on 1 April, Donald Trump stated in an interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph that he is seriously considering the possibility of the United States withdrawing from NATO, after the failure of the alliance to participate in his war against Iran.
The United States President characterized the alliance as a “paper tiger” and said that America’s withdrawal from the defense treaty is now “out of reconsideration”, implying therefore that it is final.
This is the strongest sign so far that the White House no longer considers Europe a reliable ally for defense, after the rejection of Donald Trump’s request for allies to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Putin knows it too
When asked whether he would reconsider United States participation in NATO after the conflict, he replied, “Oh yes, I would say it is out of reconsideration.
I was never influenced by NATO.
I always knew it is a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too”.
NATO allies have hesitated to help open the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil passes.
Tehran has essentially closed it for weeks, causing global oil and natural gas prices to surge and threatening a global recession.
I was there... in Ukraine
Donald Trump added, “Apart from the fact that they were not there, it was hard for anyone to believe it.
And I did not make a big negotiation. I just said, ‘Eh, you know’, I did not insist much.
I just believe it should have been automatic.
We were there automatically, including Ukraine.
Ukraine was not our problem.
It was a test, and we were there for them, and we would always be there for them.
They were not there for us,” Trump emphasized.
Britain does not even have a fleet
Referring specifically to the United Kingdom, the United States President criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his refusal to become involved in the United States–Israel war against Iran, implying that the Royal Navy was not ready for the mission, “You do not even have a fleet.
It is all very old and you have aircraft carriers that do not work”.
When asked whether the British prime minister should spend more on defense, Donald Trump added, “I am not going to tell him what to do.
He can do whatever he wants. It does not matter.
What Starmer wants is the expensive wind turbines that send your energy prices soaring”.
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