Rutte's Pro-Trump Stance on Iran Angers European Capitals — Financial Times

The Financial Times reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's statements that European allies would 'ultimately unite' to heed Trump's call to deploy naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz drew significant criticism from officials in several European capitals. One diplomat told the FT that Rutte's remarks placed Europe 'in an extremely awkward and uncomfortable position.' The rift exposed deep divisions within NATO over how far the alliance should accommodate US demands — with Rutte regularly praised for appeasing Trump to keep the US inside NATO, but now facing pushback from the Europeans he ostensibly represents.