NATO is making a very stupid mistake, it was a great test, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, criticizing the allies' refusal to help in the war against Iran. Trump stated that the United States must remember this because it is quite shocking.
– I think NATO is making a very stupid mistake. I've been saying for a long time: you know, I wonder if NATO would ever help us. So it was a big test because we don't need them, but they should have been there,” Trump said during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin at the White House. – Everyone agrees with us, but they don't want to help. And we as the United States need to remember this because I think it's quite shocking – he argued.
Trump compares Iran to Ukraine: We can consider that this war does not concern us
Trump said that in a similar way, the US could recognize that the war in Ukraine does not pose a threat to it. He maintained that without US help, Ukraine would collapse in one day and exaggerated US aid for Ukraine, this time claiming that it amounted to $400 billion in weapons and cash (he had previously said – incorrectly – about $350 billion).
We need to check what happens with this cash, he added.
Trump: I can withdraw the US from NATO without congressional consent
When asked if he intended to draw any consequences or withdraw from the Alliance, Trump said he had nothing in mind at the moment, but emphasized that he was very disappointed. He also noted that he could decide to withdraw from NATO without Congress' consent.
Referring to the statement of French President Emmanuel Macron, who ruled out participation in the operation in Hormuz during the fighting with Iran, Trump only replied that Macron “will leave office soon” (his term ends in April 2027). He also expressed particular disappointment once again with the attitude of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, claiming that Britain had a special relationship with the US – until Starmer took over. Trump said he wanted Britain to “send some minesweepers,” but then added he wasn't sure if there were any mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
“He's lucky I exist.” Trump silences criticism of Ireland
He also commented in a similar tone on the statement by Irish President Catherine Connolly that the war with Iran is illegal.
– He (sic) is lucky that I exist – Trump commented. – Because if you allow countries that are sick and mentally insane – and they are insane – to have nuclear weapons (…) the whole world should be very grateful – said the president.
Irish Prime Minister Martin – making his traditional annual visit to the US to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Patrick – tried to soften his tone, emphasizing that his country, which had a long war behind it, was focused on a peaceful solution. He agreed with Trump about the threat posed by the Iranian regime, but called for “moving towards peace.”
– We helped with Ukraine, and they do not help with Iran, although everyone admits that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. “You said yourself that these are terrible people,” Trump said, turning to Martin.
Trump said that although Iran will not be able to rebuild after the war for 10 years, it is not yet ready to end the conflict. And when asked about the departure of the head of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, in protest against the war, the president said that Kent was “a nice guy, but very weak when it comes to security.”
– I didn't know him well, but he seemed nice enoughbut when I read the statement, I realized that it was good that he came out because he said that Iran is not a threat – said the US president.
Trump's earlier harsh words to NATO: We never needed your help!
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that NATO countries do not want to engage in an operation against Iran, but added that he no longer needs or wants help from these countries. As he noted, this also applies to other US allies – Japan, Australia and South Korea.
“The United States has been informed by the majority of our NATO 'allies' that they do not wish to engage in our military operation against the terrorist regime of Iran in the Middle East – despite the fact that almost every country strongly agrees with our actions, and that Iran cannot in any way be allowed to possess nuclear weapons,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. As he added, nHe is not surprised by this, because he has always considered NATO a “one-way street” in which the US protects its allies and they “won't do anything for (the United States), especially in times of need.”“.
Trump noted, however, that thanks to the “decimation” of the Iranian army and navy as well as the leaders of the regime in Tehran, Iran will never threaten the US or its Middle Eastern allies.
“Because we have achieved such great military success, we no longer 'need' or want the help of NATO countries – WE NEVER NEED IT!” – Trump noted, adding that this also applies to Japan, Australia and South Korea.
“To put it bluntly, as the president of the United States of America, by far the most powerful country in the world, WE DON'T NEED ANYONE! Thank you for your attention” – he concluded.
This is yet another criticism of Trump towards US allies in the face of war against Iran. On Monday, Trump said he was “demanding” that allies, including NATO countries, help unblock the Strait of Hormuz. A moment later, however, he claimed that he did not need this help because the US had the most powerful army in the world, and when asking for support, he was checking the reaction of America's partners. At the same time, he suggested that France and Great Britain could send their ships, while other countries had already sent similar units and were “on their way”.
Oskar Górzyński from Washington
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