European nations have “gotten the message” from US President Donald Trump and are now ensuring that agreements on the use of military bases are being implemented, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte says, Reuters reports.
Trump has accused some Nato nations of not doing enough to support the United States in the war with Iran. In a further sign of his discontent with European allies, the US announced last week that it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
“Yes, there has been some disappointment from the US side, but Europeans have listened,” Rutte told reporters at a European Political Community summit in Armenia.
“They are now making sure that all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented,” he said.
Rutte also said “more and more” European nations were pre-positioning assets such as minehunters and minesweepers close to the Gulf to be ready for a “next phase”.
