NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Monday that member states were doing everything US President Donald Trump had asked to strengthen the military alliance, even if some were initially “a little slow” in providing support to the US amid its war with Iran, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
“When it came time to provide logistical and other assistance that the US needed in Iran, some allies were a little slow, to put it mildly. Frankly, they were a little surprised. "To maintain the element of surprise about the initial strikes, President Trump decided not to inform allies in advance," Rutte said during a speech in Washington.
"But what we see looking at Europe now is that allies are providing a lot of support," he added. "Almost without exception, allies are doing everything the United States has asked. They have listened and responded to President Trump's requests," Rutte said.
The NATO secretary general made the comments after meeting Trump on Tuesday. He informed some allies in the alliance that the U.S. president had asked for specific commitments in the coming days to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats told Reuters.