NATO chief backs allies, says bloc ‘not a one-way street’ amid US criticism

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Thursday the alliance is “not a one-way street,” responding to US criticism that allies did not fully back the US-Israeli war against Iran.

“In my estimation, Secretary Rubio was spot on when he says that an alliance cannot be a one-way street,” Rutte said during remarks at the Reagan Institute in Washington.

“It was not a one-way alliance when US, European, and Canadian troops fought and sacrificed shoulder to shoulder in Afghanistan,” he added.

Rutte’s remarks come amid tensions after President Donald Trump and senior administration officials criticized NATO countries for declining to participate in an alliance effort to help secure the Strait of Hormuz or restrict access to bases during the US-Israeli war against Iran. Trump has threatened to withdraw from the alliance.

“Nearly without exception, allies are doing everything the United States is asking. They have heard and are responding to President Trump’s requests,” Rutte said.

While acknowledging that some allies were initially “a bit slow,” the NATO chief stressed, adding that most are now providing support, including logistics and basing, to assist US operations.

“In fairness, they were also a bit surprised. To maintain the element of surprise for the initial strikes, President Trump opted not to inform allies ahead of time,” he explained.

“What I see when I look across Europe today is allies providing a massive amount of support, basing, logistics and other measures to ensure the powerful US military succeeds in denying Iran a nuclear weapon,” Rutte further noted.

He also said that “a stronger Europe and a stronger NATO will not take US leadership for granted.”

Rutte’s remarks came a day after he met Trump at the White House, a meeting he described as “frank” and “candid.”

“I explained to him yesterday and said, ‘Hey, Mr. President, clearly the overwhelming majority of Europeans have done what US asked of them and what was previously agreed in these circumstances,’” he said. “Yes, sometimes it takes a bit of time.”