US President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed NATO as “a paper tiger,” saying Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not afraid” of the alliance, as he accused US allies of refusing to support Washington during the war in Iran.
“NATO is a paper tiger. Putin’s not afraid of NATO. Putin’s afraid of us, very afraid of us,” Trump said, adding: “I got to know him very well. I know him very well.”
Trump claimed NATO members “have actually gone out of their way not to help,” including by denying logistical support.
“They didn’t even want to give us landing strips,” he said.
The remarks come ahead of a Wednesday meeting in Washington with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, where Trump is expected to hold talks alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trump broadened his criticism beyond NATO, singling out key US partners in Asia.
“You know who else didn’t help us? South Korea didn’t help us… Australia didn’t help us… Japan,” he said.
At the same time, he praised Gulf allies including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for their support.
Trump also tied his frustration with NATO to his long-standing push to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
“It all began with – if you want to know the truth – Greenland,” he said. “We want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us. And I said, ‘bye, bye.’”