US President Donald Trump has criticized Spain, calling it a "loser" and "very hostile to NATO." He also expressed his disappointment with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who, according to him, should "without question" support the US operation against Iran.
He said this in a telephone interview with the New York Post on March 5.
"We have a lot of winners, but Spain is a loser, and UK has been very disappointing. [Spain is] very hostile to NATO. They don’t pay their — they’re the only one that voted against the 5% payment, and they’re very hostile to everyone," Trump said, referring to the alliance's commitment to contribute 5 percent of its GDP to defense.
He added: "Not a team player, and we’re not going to be a team player with Spain either."
We would like to note that earlier Trump announced his decision to "cut off all relations" with Spain after Madrid did not allow the use of its military bases for strikes in the Middle East.
Asked about media reports that he also called Keir Starmer a "loser" in private conversations, Trump was blunt.
"Well, he’s not Winston Churchill, let me put it that way. It was very disappointing — his performance, having to do with our tremendous attack on a hostile nation. He should be giving us, without question or hesitation, things like bases where we can use others," he said of the British prime minister.
The US president also added that he was surprised by Starmer's resistance to cooperate with the Pentagon, given the close alliance between the UK and the US.
"We should [be able to] certainly count on them. I was very surprised at Keir. Very disappointed," he said.
Recall that earlier, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to Donald Trump's criticism by saying that he would not join the war, that he would not join the war in Iran without legal grounds or a well-thought-out plan.
Meanwhile, Spain said that Madrid did not agree to military cooperation with the United States on the operation against Iran and did not change its position on the use of its bases. The day before, White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt said at a press conference that Madrid had agreed to cooperate with the US Armed Forces after being warned by President Donald Trump.
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