German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he does not believe NATO has been weakened by recent tensions surrounding US President Donald Trump, insisting the alliance remains united after its summit in Ankara.
“This NATO is holding together,” the German top diplomat told broadcaster ARD on Wednesday.
By the end of the summit, Trump had clearly stood with the United States’ European allies, Wadephul said.
Asked whether NATO had come close to breaking point, Wadephul replied: “NATO is stronger than it has ever been.”
He pointed to the recent accession of Sweden and Finland as evidence of confidence in the alliance and said NATO had also shown it was capable of providing strong support to Ukraine.
Wadephul acknowledged that there had been “irritating remarks” during the summit.
“But in today’s internal discussion, we were very united and very clear with one another. And we also experience the Americans in all staff structures and in all political discussions within NATO as very reliable,” he said.
European allies were taking on more responsibility within NATO, Wadephul said, adding that this was positive because it could leave them somewhat less dependent on others.
Trump publicly snubbed European allies during the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Trump said he wanted to “cut off all trade” with Spain over its defence spending and refusal to support the war in Iran, calling the country a “terrible partner.”
He also listed Germany among countries that he said had let the US down.
Trump later struck a very different tone at his closing press conference, describing the summit as “tremendously successful” and praising the “tremendous love” and unity in the room.