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Trump expresses disappointment with NATO, says he might not have come if not for Turkey

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • U.S. President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with NATO allies for not actively participating in recent actions against Iran.
  • Trump stated he might not have attended the NATO summit in Turkey if it weren't for his "friend" President ErdoฤŸan.
  • He questioned European allies' commitment, citing their refusal to aid the U.S. while benefiting from American defense spending, and also reiterated his stance on Greenland.

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara, Turkey, for a NATO summit, immediately voicing strong criticism of European allies for their perceived lack of support in recent actions against Iran.

I am very disappointed with NATO. Frankly, if this meeting were not being held in Turkey, led by my friend (President) ErdoฤŸan, I might not have attended.

โ€” Donald TrumpExpressing his dissatisfaction with NATO and his reason for attending the summit.

Speaking before a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoฤŸan, Trump declared, "I am very disappointed with NATO." He candidly added, "Frankly, if this meeting were not being held in Turkey, led by my friend (President) ErdoฤŸan, I might not have attended."

Trump specifically questioned the commitment of European nations, stating, "Italy refused, Germany refused, France refused. That's okay. But we are spending tens of millions of dollars for them, why would we do that?" He suggested the U.S. was testing whether allies would stand with it, implying a lack of confidence in their reciprocal support despite American defense contributions.

Italy refused, Germany refused, France refused. That's okay. But we are spending tens of millions of dollars for them, why would we do that?

โ€” Donald TrumpQuestioning European allies' commitment and their refusal to support U.S. actions.

While expressing dissatisfaction with European allies, Trump offered praise for Turkey, calling it "much more loyal" than other nations the U.S. considers allies. He also announced the lifting of sanctions against Turkey related to its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. Trump also reiterated his claim that Greenland should be controlled by the United States, not Denmark, during his visit.

Turkey has been much more loyal in many ways than other countries that we think are loyal.

โ€” Donald TrumpPraising Turkey's loyalty compared to other allies.

The NATO summit, scheduled for July 7-8, is set to discuss increasing members' defense spending to 5% of GDP and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump's remarks, including his criticism of European defense policies and his renewed focus on Greenland, have reportedly dampened expectations among European officials who had hoped for a more positive start to the summit.

I can tell you that we will be lifting the sanctions. I don't want President ErdoฤŸan to waste his time answering this question.

โ€” Donald TrumpAnnouncing the lifting of sanctions on Turkey for its purchase of the S-400 system.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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