Rutte says Europeans have 'gotten message' from Trump
· RTE.ieEuropeans have "heard" US President Donald Trump's message of frustration over the Iran war and are "stepping up", NATO chief Mark Rutte said after the US announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
"European leaders have gotten the message. They heard the message loud and clear," Mr Rutte said before talks with European leaders in Armenia, acknowledging "disappointment on the US side" faced with European allies' resistance to joining the war.
"Europeans are stepping up," Mr Rutte insisted. "We have seen all these countries now participating with their bilateral agreements making sure that when it comes to basing requests and all the logistical support," he said.
"Yes, there has been some disappointment from the US side, but Europeans have listened," Mr Rutte told reporters.
NATO member Spain has said that military bases on its territory cannot be used for the war with Iran.
But Mr Rutte said other NATO countries such as Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Britain, France and Germany were implementing requests for the use of bases and other logistical support.
Mr Rutte also said "more and more" European nations were pre-positioning assets such as minehunters and minesweepers close to the Gulf to be ready for a "next phase".
Multiple European nations have said they are willing to take part in a mission to help ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz once the war is over.
The timing of the US troop withdrawal announcement came as a surprise, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
"The timing of this announcement comes as a surprise. I think it shows that we really have to strengthen the European pillar in NATO, and we have to really do more," said Ms Kallas, speaking as she arrived at a European Political Community summit in Yerevan.
"The American troops are not in Europe only for protecting the European interests, but also the American interests," she added