The Pentagon announced last week that around 5,000 troops would be withdrawn, but Trump said on Saturday the reductions would go “a lot further,” without providing details or a timeline. The decision comes amid tensions between Washington and European capitals over the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and what U.S. officials see as limited European involvement.

Speaking at a summit in Yerevan, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the move should not be overstated but underscored expectations that Europe take on greater responsibility for its own security. He added that any adjustments should be managed within the framework of NATO.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said discussions about reducing U.S. troop presence in Europe were not new, but the timing of the announcement was unexpected. She said the development highlighted the need to strengthen the European pillar within NATO.

NATO officials said they were seeking further clarification from Washington. Alliance spokesperson Allison Hart said discussions were ongoing to understand the implications for U.S. force posture in Germany.NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte played down the decision, linking it to broader U.S. dissatisfaction with European responses to the Iran conflict.

He said European allies had taken note of U.S. concerns and were working to implement existing basing agreements and position key military assets closer to potential operational theaters.The troop reduction follows earlier signals from Washington that a drawdown in Europe was likely. Some U.S. forces had already been withdrawn from Romania in October, although U.S. officials had previously indicated such changes would be coordinated with allies to avoid creating security gaps.

Tensions have also emerged over operational support for U.S. actions in the Middle East. Countries including Spain, France and the United Kingdom have declined to grant full access to bases or airspace for operations linked to the Iran conflict, reflecting divisions within the alliance over the scope of involvement.

European governments have signaled they are stepping up preparations, including positioning military resources closer to strategic regions, though officials have provided limited detail. Leaders have also indicated reluctance to engage in securing key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz until the conflict subsides.

Trump this week sharply criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, calling him “totally ineffective” after Merz questioned the U.S. approach to the Iran conflict and said Washington lacked a clear exit strategy. On Friday, the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany and confirmed higher tariffs on European Union cars and trucks, a move expected to hit Germany’s export-heavy economy particularly hard.

The administration has also turned its focus toward Britain, with Trump describing Prime Minister Keir Starmer as “not Winston Churchill” and threatening major tariffs on British imports, further widening tensions with traditional U.S. allies.European diplomats described the atmosphere as increasingly unpredictable.

“It’s unnerving to say the least,” one diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are braced for anything, anytime.”The friction has been aggravated by Washington’s push for stronger allied backing in the Iran war, particularly around securing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route disrupted by the conflict.

Trump has accused European governments of failing to provide adequate military support for U.S. operations that he argues protect broader Western interests.Reuters reported last week that the Pentagon had internally discussed punitive options for NATO members viewed as unsupportive, including suspending Spain from NATO and reviewing U.S. recognition of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

Some European officials said they were adapting to Trump’s confrontational style. One diplomat pointed to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel as a model for managing relations with Trump during his first term.“You must not react immediately, you must let the storm pass, while standing firmly on your positions,” the diplomat said, adding that attempts at personal flattery had also failed to prevent criticism.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, once viewed as one of Trump’s closest European political allies, also faced criticism after she publicly opposed the Iran war and condemned what she called Trump’s “unacceptable” remarks about Pope Leo.Even NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, often seen in Europe as skilled at managing Trump, was reportedly rebuked during a recent White House meeting.

Within the Republican Party, Trump’s hardline stance has drawn some resistance. Representative Don Bacon said repeated attacks on NATO partners were damaging U.S. interests.

“The continued attacks on NATO allies are counterproductive, the comments hurt Americans,” Bacon wrote on X, noting that U.S. air bases in Germany remain strategically important for operations across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.German military officials were reportedly surprised by Trump’s announcement on troop reductions, especially after what they described as constructive Pentagon meetings earlier this week.

General Carsten Breuer, Germany’s top military officer, had indicated he received positive support for Berlin’s updated defense strategy during talks in Washington.Analysts say the political mood in Europe is shifting, with leaders becoming more willing to publicly challenge Washington as domestic pressure rises over the economic and security fallout of the Iran war, including rising energy costs and trade disruptions.

Jeffrey Rathke of the American-German Institute at Johns Hopkins University said Chancellor Merz’s sharper tone reflected a broader recalibration.“It’s pretty clear that something has changed,” Rathke said, noting that European governments increasingly believe they can no longer rely on the post-World War II security framework without significantly expanding their own military capabilities.

Speaking to reporters, Trump acknowledged the difficulty of the task and provided no operational details but indicated that other countries were prepared to assist. “It won’t be easy, we will have that open fairly soon,” he said, adding that multiple nations reliant on the waterway were offering support.

The Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has seen traffic severely curtailed since Tehran effectively blocked passage following the outbreak of hostilities. The disruption has triggered sharp volatility in global energy markets and raised concerns over supply security.

The conflict escalated after U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israel and U.S. military installations in Gulf states. The broader regional confrontation has resulted in significant casualties, mass displacement and sustained pressure on oil prices.Trump has also pressed allies to contribute more actively to securing the waterway.

Following talks with the U.S. president, Mark Rutte urged European governments to provide concrete commitments within days, according to Reuters reporting.A fragile ceasefire announced earlier this week between Washington and Tehran has yet to restore normal shipping flows through the strait.

Separately, the United Kingdom is set to convene another meeting next week involving countries seeking to reestablish safe maritime transit through the strait. The discussions are expected to include senior officials and focus on coordinated diplomatic, economic and potential security measures to ensure passage for commercial vessels.

The meeting follows earlier consultations involving dozens of countries, including foreign ministers and military planners, as governments weigh options ranging from sanctions on Iran to maritime security operations once conditions permit.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said a credible plan is needed to reopen the route and stabilize global trade flows.

Speaking in an interview with CNN after the meeting, Rutte said certain NATO members were “tested and failed,” while emphasizing that most European countries fulfilled prior commitments in the crisis.

“Some of them yes, but a large majority of European countries have done what they promised before in a case like this,” Rutte said.

He described his talks with Trump as “frank and open,” noting that the U.S. president had expressed disappointment over the level of involvement from some allies during the conflict.

Rutte said he highlighted to Trump that several European countries had contributed through logistical support and other forms of assistance, even if they were not directly involved in military operations.

The remarks underscore ongoing tensions within NATO over burden-sharing and military commitments, particularly as the Iran conflict has exposed divisions among Western allies.

A NATO spokesperson described the trip as “long-planned,” with a White House official also confirming the visit, though no further details were disclosed.

The timing comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and its European partners over their limited support for U.S. actions in the Iran conflict.

Trump said he was weighing a U.S. exit from NATO after European members declined to contribute naval forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane disrupted during the war.

Speaking at a White House gathering, Trump criticized allies including France and the United Kingdom, describing NATO as ineffective and questioning its value to U.S. security interests. The visit by Rutte comes at a sensitive moment for the alliance, which has long been a cornerstone of transatlantic security since its founding in 1949.

Analysts say the rhetoric underscores deepening divisions within NATO over burden-sharing and strategic priorities, particularly in the context of the ongoing Iran war.

Trump’s remarks mark one of the most direct challenges to NATO’s cohesion in recent years, raising uncertainty about the future of U.S. commitment to the alliance as geopolitical tensions intensify.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has reaffirmed the alliance’s strength and unity after the successful completion of its annual nuclear exercise, stating that the drills showcased the credibility and preparedness of NATO’s nuclear deterrence capabilities in the face of rising tensions with Russia.

Speaking to German media, Rutte emphasized that the exercise, conducted earlier this month, demonstrated the alliance’s ability to respond decisively to any form of nuclear intimidation.

“When Russia is using dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric, our populations must know that there is no need to panic, because NATO has a strong nuclear deterrent,” he said.

Rutte’s remarks come at a critical time, as Russia continues to issue nuclear threats in connection with its war in Ukraine. The NATO chief sought to reassure citizens across member nations that the alliance remains capable and united in its commitment to collective defense.

“Putin must know that nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought,” Rutte added, echoing a long-standing principle that has underpinned global nuclear stability for decades.

The annual NATO nuclear exercise, known for its strict operational secrecy, brings together multiple member states to test readiness and coordination.

This year’s drills reportedly included simulated flight operations, nuclear strike scenarios, and rapid-response coordination between ground, air, and naval forces.

The exercises are seen as a vital demonstration of the alliance’s defensive posture and its message of deterrence against any nuclear escalation.

Rutte, who took over as NATO Secretary-General earlier this year, has been vocal about strengthening deterrence and reinforcing unity among members.

His leadership comes at a moment when the alliance faces one of its most complex security environments in decades, marked by the ongoing war in Ukraine, cyber threats, and increasing geopolitical competition.

He noted that while NATO does not seek confrontation, it cannot afford complacency. “Our deterrence remains defensive, measured, and responsible,” Rutte said. “But it is also unshakable. Every adversary must understand that NATO will defend every inch of allied territory.”

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly issued nuclear warnings since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In October, he declared that Moscow could consider using nuclear weapons if struck by conventional missiles, and that any attack supported by a nuclear power would be treated as a joint assault on Russia. These comments have intensified global concerns about the potential for escalation.

Rutte, however, stressed that NATO remains firmly focused on preventing such a scenario. The alliance’s collective deterrence strategy, he explained, is built not just on nuclear capabilities but also on diplomacy, strategic stability, and transparency among allies. “Our goal is not to provoke conflict but to preserve peace through strength,” he said.

The NATO chief’s confidence follows a broader pattern of reassurance within the alliance. Member nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, and France — all nuclear powers — have reaffirmed their commitments to NATO’s shared defense framework. These exercises serve both as a technical test of readiness and as a political signal of cohesion among allies.

Analysts say Rutte’s strong stance sends a message of stability to both allies and adversaries. It underscores NATO’s capability to deter aggression while maintaining the balance of power that has prevented direct conflict between nuclear states since the Cold War.

As tensions between Russia and the West remain high, the success of NATO’s nuclear drills reinforces a clear message: the alliance is alert, united, and prepared.

For citizens across Europe and North America, Rutte’s words serve as a reminder that deterrence, discipline, and diplomacy remain central to NATO’s mission — ensuring that the shadow of nuclear war stays where it belongs: in history, not in reality.