NATO believes it is unlikely that US under Trump will leave Alliance

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte believes that the US withdrawal from the North Atlantic Alliance is unlikely. However, he emphasized that the bloc needs to be strengthened.

He has said this in an interview for the German edition of Welt am Sonntag.

Rutte's statement comes as US President Donald Trump regularly criticizes NATO for its unwillingness to help him in the war against Iran.

"I don't see the likelihood of the United States leaving NATO... President Trump is clearly frustrated with some NATO members. And I understand his frustration," the Secretary General said.

He added that a "stronger Europe within a stronger NATO" is needed, calling for a stronger defense industry to better protect the bloc. According to him, there is nothing wrong with investing in defense.

"It is crucial to maintain our deterrence and defense... Tell your banks and pension funds that they can invest in defense. The defense industry plays a central role so that we can continue to live in security," Rutte said.

The NATO chief also commented on nuclear deterrence, saying that the US nuclear umbrella is the main guarantor of security in Europe. He expressed confidence that this will continue to be the case.

He added that the nuclear weapons of France and Britain also have a deterrent effect and contribute to the overall security of the Alliance.

"NATO's nuclear deterrent is a strong and necessary element of our collective defense, consisting of an appropriate mix of nuclear and conventional defenses, as well as missile defense, complemented by space and cyber capabilities," Mark Rutte summarized.