NATO is a 'paper tiger': Trump signals potential US exit
United States President Donald Trump has confirmed he is seriously weighing a withdrawal from NATO. In an interview with The Telegraph, Trump described the military alliance as a "paper tiger."
The president suggested that the current geopolitical climate, specifically the conflict in the Middle East, necessitates more than a simple policy review. He explicitly stated that NATO’s perceived strength is an illusion.
“I’ve always known it’s a paper tiger and, by the way, Putin knows that too,” Trump told the publication. He emphasized that he remains unswayed by traditional arguments for the alliance’s preservation.
Criticism of the special relationship
Trump also directed sharp criticism at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He slammed Starmer's refusal to join US-Israeli military operations against Iran, questioning the capabilities of the Royal Navy.
“You don’t even have a fleet. You have aircraft carriers that didn’t work,” the US leader remarked. The comments signal a growing rift in the military cooperation between Washington and London.
Internal support for a new doctrine
The president praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his critical stance on NATO membership. Rubio has been a vocal proponent of re-evaluating US commitments to international treaties.
This follows previous warnings from the White House regarding Article 5. Trump reiterated that Washington might not defend allies who fail to contribute, citing "allied inertia" during the conflict with Iran.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
