President Donald Trump criticized United States allies at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, rebuking member nations for refusing to join military operations in Iran and rejecting his plans to acquire Greenland.
The diplomatic friction emerged during the alliance's annual two-day conference, where Trump also urged member states to elevate their defense spending to 5% of their annual GDP.
Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the alliance's lack of cooperation on key geopolitical objectives.
"I'm not happy with NATO because of what they did with Greenland.
And I'm not happy with NATO because of the fact that they didn't want to help us with the No. 1 state sponsor of terror, that's Iran.
They were unwilling to help us," Trump said.
"When we wanted them, we didn't want them badly, but we did say, 'If you want to, join us.'
And they all said no.
But when they could have, they weren't there for us, and we've been there for them," he added.
Despite the broader disagreements, NATO leadership backed recent American military actions. The alliance supported Washington following fresh U.
S. airstrikes launched against Iranian targets after Tehran attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
"It was a very strong response, and I'm with you on this," said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The military response coincided with a severe strain on diplomatic negotiations, as Washington revoked Iran's general oil sales license, jeopardizing the U.
S. -Iran memorandum of understanding.
Amid these developments, Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and announced intentions to ease sanctions on Turkey, including a potential reinstatement into the F-35 fighter jet program.
"I have no concerns at all about anything," Trump said.
Trump further lauded Erdoğan's leadership, noting the visible infrastructure improvements within the country as a sign of its increasing strength.
"I mean, he's a leader of a country that he's made a much better country, much more powerful country.
You see it — I mean, it's beautiful, you get off, the roads are beautiful, it's an amazing thing.
No, I have no concerns about anything having to do with Turkey," Trump said.
The summit also featured discussions regarding Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine during a sideline meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"It's too bad it took so long," Trump said.
Trump concluded his remarks on the Ukrainian conflict by indicating his belief that a resolution would eventually emerge from the ongoing international discussions.
"But I think there's going to be ... something's going to come out," Trump said.
