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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday in a bid to defuse tensions ahead of the alliance's July summit in Ankara. Trump expressed deep disappointment over allies' refusal to back the US-Israeli war against Iran, singling out Spain as a "horror show" and criticizing Italy, Germany, France, and the UK. Source: ABC España
Rutte, known for flattering Trump, presented charts showing increased European defense spending, crediting Trump with driving allies toward a 5% GDP target by 2035. Source: Euronews He argued that European allies did provide logistical support, noting that 4,000–5,000 US planes took off from European bases during the conflict. Source: Al Jazeera However, Rutte acknowledged "isolated cases" of disappointment. Source: AP News
Rutte's claim that 500 US planes flew from Italian bases for "Epic Fury" sparked immediate backlash. Italy's defense ministry said flights were only "technical and logistical," accusing Rutte of conveying a "completely misleading message." Source: Euronews, ABC España Tehran condemned NATO's "active complicity" in what it called an "unlawful war." Source: Al Jazeera
Trump berated Spain for low defense spending, calling it "a horrible spectacle." Rutte said he and Spanish PM Sánchez "agreed to disagree" on the 5% target, with Sánchez proposing 2.2% of GDP. Source: ABC España Rutte warned Spain's approach may fail. Source: ABC España
The Pentagon has announced a six-month review of US forces in Europe, raising fears of reduced commitment. The Ankara summit on July 7-8 will test alliance unity. Source: CNN, El Mundo Meanwhile, Trump praised Turkish President Erdoğan and left open the possibility of selling F-35 jets to Turkey. Source: Euronews
“«España es un espectáculo horroroso. España es terrible, incluso desde su punto de vista», dijo Trump dentro del Despacho Oval, mirando a Rutte.”
“Trump reiterated grievances with NATO over its failure to back the US-Israeli war against Iran, saying he had been 'let down'.”
“Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned what he called NATO's 'active complicity' in an 'unlawful war'.”
“Rutte frequently flatters the president, crediting him with getting NATO members to increase their defense spending.”
“En una entrevista con la cadena Fox, Rutte dijo que en realidad los europeos sí habían ayudado a Washington aunque digan lo contrario en voz alta por intereses de política nacional.”
“Trump renovó este miércoles sus amenazas de retirar a Estados Unidos de la OTAN y exigió “lealtad” a sus aliados europeos.”
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