President Donald Trump is thinking of withdrawing the United States from NATO as members have been hesitant to join Operation Epic Fury.
âI was never swayed by NATO,â Trump told The Daily Telegraph in an exclusive interview published Wednesday.
The president said reconsidering the matter was âbeyond consideration.â
âI always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way,â Trump said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trumpâs words come after European nations saying no to the president after he asked them to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This is where about 20% of the worldâs oil supply travels.
Iranâs attacks have restricted access to the strait after the U.S. offensive against Iranian targets, raising concerns about global energy markets and economic stability.
âBeyond not being there, it was actually hard to believe. And I didnât do a big sale. I just said, âHey,â you know, I didnât insist too much. I just think it should be automatic,â Trump said.
âWeâve been there automatically, including Ukraine. Ukraine wasnât our problem. It was a test, and we were there for them, and we would always have been there for them. They werenât there for us,â Trump added.
Trump criticized the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not participating in Operation Epic Fury.
âYou donât even have a navy. Youâre too old and had aircraft carriers that didnât work,â Trump said.
Starmer responded to Trump by stating Britain is âfully committed to NATO,â calling it âthe single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen.â
Starmer said âwhatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I am going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions I make.â
