NATO chief: Alliance "not whistling past the graveyard"

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday acknowledged strain within the world's most powerful alliance, but said European members are stepping up by taking on a greater share of the defense burden.

"This alliance is not whistling past the graveyard," he said, addressing claims NATO is faltering amid President Trump's threat to withdraw the U.S. from the pact. "Allies recognize and I recognize we are in a period of profound change in the transatlantic alliance."

Mr. Rutte said Europe is beginning to assume a "greater and fairer" share of responsibility for its conventional defense.

"And from that, there will be no going back — and nor should there be," he said. "This is a move from unhealthy codependence to a transatlantic alliance grounded in true partnership."

The secretary general acknowledged some allies were "a bit slow, to the say the least" in providing logistical and other support for the U.S.'s war against Iran, drawing criticism from the president.

"In fairness, they were also a bit surprised," he added. "To maintain the element of surprise for the initial strikes, President Trump opted not to inform allies ahead of time, and I understand that."

He said allies are now providing a "massive amount of support" to help the U.S. military deny Tehran a nuclear weapon and prevent it from threatening its neighbors.

"Nearly without exception, allies are doing everything the United States has asked. They have heard and are responding to President Trump's requests," he said, pointing to the U.K. working to marshal a coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

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