Trump attacks NATO allies: I put them to the test, we have always stood by them, I would not have come if the summit were not being held in Turkey

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has renewed his criticism of NATO member states over their lack of support during the conflict with Iran, saying he was “very disappointed” by the allies’ stance.

In a statement to the media from Ankara, alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Trump said he had “tested” the allies to understand whether they would stand by the United States in a difficult moment.

“I was testing people. I wanted to see whether they would be there for us, because for a long time I have said that we help them, but I am not sure whether they would be there for us,” Trump said.

According to the American president, some NATO states decided not to get involved in the conflict with Iran, something that he said left him dissatisfied.

“We were not treated well. In fact, I did not even want their help, because they said they would not be there. We have invested trillions of dollars in NATO to protect European countries and others,” he said.

Trump directly mentioned Italy, Germany and France, accusing them of refusing to support the United States.

“Italy rejected us, Germany rejected us and France rejected us. That is fine, but why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars while they are not there for us? We have always stood by them,” the American president said.

He also spoke about the decision by outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who allowed the use of British air bases by American forces only for defensive strikes against Iran, calling it a “very unpopular” decision.

Trump added that his participation in the NATO summit might not have happened if the meeting were not being held in Turkey.

“If the summit were not being held in Turkey, where my friend is a very strong leader, it is possible that I would not have come,” he said, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.