Rutte goes to Washington after Trump's threats to withdraw from NATO

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Washington next week as part of what a military alliance spokeswoman called a "long-planned visit," which will take place after US President Donald Trump criticized European allies over disagreements on the war with Iran, UNN reports with reference to Reuters.

Details

"I can confirm that the Secretary General will be in Washington next week for a long-planned visit," NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said. A White House official also confirmed the visit.

Further details of the trip are not yet available.

Trump said he was considering withdrawing the US from the Western military alliance due to European allies' refusal to send ships to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made a statement regarding the US withdrawal from NATO01.04.26, 14:22 • 3764 views

On Wednesday, speaking to allies gathered for an Easter dinner at the White House, Trump criticized France and Great Britain, as well as other US allies, calling them "paper tigers."

NATO, which includes European countries, the United States, and Canada, was created in 1949 to counter the threat of a Soviet attack and has since been a cornerstone of Western security.

"We've had some very bad allies in NATO," Trump said. "I hope we never need them. I don't think we'll need them."