Just days before the NATO summit scheduled in Ankara on July 7 and 8, U.S. President Donald Trump has once again criticized European allies, calling the current relationship between Washington and the Atlantic Alliance "ridiculous."
In a message posted on the Truth Social platform, Trump argued that the United States continues to bear a disproportionate burden in common defense, complaining that the contributions from other member countries are insufficient. He included a chart on military spending by Alliance countries, highlighting how U.S. investments remain significantly higher than those of many partners.
The American president also reiterated that Europe must take a more active role in its own security, emphasizing that Washington has already begun a gradual reduction of its military commitments on the continent.
These statements follow recent tensions with some European allies, criticized by the U.S. administration for limiting the use of their military bases during operations related to the conflict with Iran.
Trump's pressures have already had effects within the Alliance. Last year, the leaders of the 32 member countries agreed on the goal of increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a target that will be a focal point at the upcoming summit in Turkey.
Founded in 1949, NATO represents the main pillar of Euro-Atlantic security, and since its inception, the United States has been its principal supporter in military and financial terms.
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