European nations have “gotten the message” from U.S. President Donald Trump and are now ensuring that agreements on the use of military bases are being implemented, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday.
Trump has criticized certain NATO allies for failing to provide sufficient support to the United States in its war with Iran. Adding to tensions with European partners, the U.S. also announced on Friday that it would pull 5,000 troops out of Germany.
“Yes, there has been some disappointment from the U.S. side, but Europeans have listened,” Secretary General Rutte told reporters ahead of the 8th European Political Community summit in Armenia.
“They are now making sure that all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented,” he said.
NATO member Spain has said that military bases on its territory cannot be used for the war with Iran. But Rutte said other NATO countries such as Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Britain, France and Germany were implementing requests for the use of bases and other logistical support.
Rutte also said “more and more” European nations were pre-positioning assets such as minehunters and minesweepers close to the Gulf to be ready for a “next phase”.
Multiple European nations have said they are willing to take part in a mission to help ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz once the war is over, according to Reuters.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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