00:01U.S. President Donald Trump told NATO Chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday that he was let down by members
00:07of the Transatlantic Alliance who did not back his war against Iran. Trump's second term has
00:12been marked by tensions with NATO allies who have voiced skepticism over the need for the
00:17conflict in the Middle East. I just want their loyalty. We don't need their money. We don't
00:21need anything. We have the most powerful military in the world by far. But I just want loyalty.
00:27You know, we're so loyal to them. We're always fighting for them. We have thousands of troops
00:33all over Europe. In Germany, we have 50,000 troops. And then you want a little, give us
00:38a little nudge, give us a little kiss. We don't want much.
00:41Rutte, for his part, defended the conduct of NATO countries, pointing to the use of air bases
00:46in Europe.
00:47I know there have been debates about whether your allies in Europe were with you enough.
00:51I just want to say one thing.
00:52They weren't.
00:52Yeah, but let me say one thing, which is, I know you're thinking, but let me, and I
00:56know about the, let's say, your, your, yeah, irritation about that. But when you look at
01:04the numbers, 4,000 to 5,000 U.S. planes taking off from bases in Europe in the six weeks
01:12this
01:12war took place, still the ceasefire took place mid-term April.
01:16Rutte's remark sparked immediate condemnation from Iran, who accused him of admitting to NATO
01:21complicity in the war. Italy quickly distanced itself from Rutte's statement, calling it
01:26misleading, and adding that Italy had only allowed technical and logistical U.S. flights
01:31under existing agreements.
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