It should be noted that Greece was cooperative regarding the Souda Bay naval base, and while the US already maintains three military bases, the question arises: how will the reference to increasing the American presence translate on the ground in Greece?
Trump the punisher or Trump the avenger… this is how the new stance of the US President can be characterized, which, according to the Wall Street Journal, he is reserving for certain NATO allies, specifically Spain, Germany, and to some extent France. Reports that the US will withdraw from NATO are primarily a pressure exercise; as is well known, the US cannot withdraw from NATO without approval from Congress, and Trump—evidently—will not receive such approval. However, in other countries like Poland and Greece, the Americans are expected to increase their military presence since these nations were obedient and cooperative—especially Greece—regarding the Iranian issue. It is worth noting that Greece was cooperative regarding the Souda Bay naval base, and as the US already operates three military bases there, the question remains: how exactly is this planned increase in the American presence being translated for Greece?
Trump (US President): NATO won't help us if we need it again – Greenland is a "mismanaged piece of ice"
Following his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, US President Trump recalled the alliance's disagreements over Greenland. "NATO did not help us when we needed it and will not help us if we need it again. Don’t forget Greenland—that big, mismanaged piece of ice," Trump wrote. On April 6, he stated that the intense disagreements within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization began with Greenland. On January 31, Trump announced the start of negotiations regarding the future ownership of Greenland and expressed hope for a good deal for both the United States and Europe. According to Trump, much has already been agreed upon. The current American president has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States. During his first term, he proposed buying the island, and in March 2025, he expressed confidence that it could be annexed. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark. In 1951, Washington and Copenhagen, in addition to their obligations within the NATO alliance, signed the Greenland Defense Treaty. Under this treaty, the United States committed to defending the island against potential aggression.
Wall Street Journal: US may "punish" NATO allies for their stance on the war with Iran
The United States is considering a plan to "punish" certain NATO countries that Washington believes failed to support the American government in its military operation against Iran, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed, citing anonymous US government officials. According to the report, the list of proposals on this matter includes the withdrawal of US troops from certain countries within the alliance. Furthermore, the plan could include the closure of a US base in a NATO country, possibly Spain or Germany. At the same time, the US may bolster its military presence in countries such as Poland, Romania, Lithuania, and Greece, the Wall Street Journal reports. Previously, US President Trump stated he would re-evaluate the US role in the alliance but acknowledged he would need Congressional support to officially exit NATO.
NATO Chief Mark Rutte avoided answering the question on "punishment"
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte refused to directly answer a question regarding the possibility of the US "punishing" individual NATO countries for their insufficient support of the US military operation against Iran.
Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary General) to CNN: Trump is frustrated with the North Atlantic Alliance
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated following his meeting with US President Trump, in an interview with CNN, that the American President is frustrated with NATO. Mark Rutte, who met with the American President, acknowledged Trump's disappointment with the alliance and its partners. "Obviously frustrated," the Secretary General told CNN, assessing Trump's stance toward his allies after their White House meeting. "He is obviously frustrated with many NATO allies, and I can understand that. At the same time, I was able to point out that most European countries have helped in terms of bases, the supply chain, and flights, ensuring they meet their commitments," Mark Rutte stated in his interview.
Financial Times: Rutte's approach to Trump causes resentment in European countries
The "paternalistic" approach of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte toward US President Trump is fueling growing resentment among European countries, according to the Financial Times. As noted by Claudia Major, Senior Vice President of the German Marshall Fund, Europeans are annoyed by the approach of treating the 32-nation alliance as a US-led club. In this context, Mark Rutte faces a dilemma: continuing the effort to keep the American leader in NATO at any cost could lead to divisions among the allies. They believe this approach weakens the North Atlantic Alliance. European countries see increasingly less benefit in winning favor with Washington, especially in light of Trump's harsh statements against them. Trump's criticism has strengthened their common ground and reduced their security dependence on the United States. On April 6, Trump spoke harshly about NATO, stating that the United States does not need the alliance. The American leader emphasized his disappointment that alliance countries "turned their backs" to avoid supporting the US operation against Iran. He characterized this as "a stain that will never go away."
Russia: The bleak future of a failed NATO
NATO is facing an ominous future, pointed out Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putin's special representative for investment and economic cooperation, on social media platform X. "US President Donald Trump on NATO: 'We tried and we failed.' White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt: 'NATO turned its back on the American people.' The bleak future of a failed NATO," the post by Putin's advisor reads. Previously, US President Donald Trump stated that the invitation to NATO allies to participate in the operation against Iran was a "test" for the alliance, hinting at its weakness. In this light, he raised the possibility of a US withdrawal from the bloc, accusing partners of refusing to support Washington. However, as is well known, the US cannot leave NATO without Congressional approval, and Trump—obviously—will not receive such approval from Congress.
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