US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was seriously considering withdrawing from NATO.
In an exclusive interview with the British Telegraph, Trump described the military alliance as a "paper tiger" and said the possibility of a US exit had now gone "beyond a review" — in other words, a step that appears closer than ever.
Anger at the White House erupted after NATO member states refused Trump's demand to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, which was blocked by Iran and triggered a surge in global energy prices. "I always knew they were a paper tiger, and by the way, Putin knows that too," the president said.
'Ukraine wasn't our problem'
Trump voiced deep frustration that Europe enjoys US protection but refuses to stand with Washington when vital interests are at stake. "We've been there automatically, including Ukraine. Ukraine wasn't our problem. It was a test, and we were there for them, and we would always have been there for them. They weren't there for us."
His sharpest criticism was directed at British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Trump did not mince words, mocking Britain's military capabilities: "You don't even have a navy. You're too old and had aircraft carriers that didn't work. All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof."
Starmer responded later to Trump's remarks about NATO, saying: "Regardless of the pressure put on me and others, I will act in accordance with the British national interest."
Rubio: 'An arrangement that cannot continue'
Joining the president was Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who made clear that the US would have to reconsider its membership in the alliance once the war with Iran ends. "If NATO is just us defending Europe, but they deny us access to bases when we need them, that is not a good arrangement," Rubio said in an interview with Fox News.
According to reports, the Trump administration is now examining a "pay to play" model, under which countries that fail to meet funding requirements would be stripped of decision-making power within the alliance. The administration is also considering withdrawing US forces from Germany.
What comes next?
Trump is expected to address the nation, when he is set to update the public on the progress of the war. According to the president, the campaign could end within two to three weeks, with one goal still uppermost in his mind: preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
