Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has dismissed Donald Trump's attacks on European allies as akin to a 'family argument', refusing to criticise the US president despite his recent threats to acquire Greenland and declarations that the Iran ceasefire is 'over'.
Rutte, speaking to the BBC, compared the dynamic between himself and Trump to a family where quarrels are rare but can erupt. He said he is '100 per cent convinced' Trump is committed to Nato, pointing to US military operations that depend on European bases.
When asked by a Danish reporter whether supporting Trump while he lashes out at allies affects his self-respect, Rutte replied: 'What I always do is acknowledge when praise is due.' The former Dutch prime minister previously called Trump 'daddy' during a Nato summit, a comment Trump later referenced at Davos.
Rutte defended US airstrikes against Iran, saying a forceful reaction was 'totally crucial' given Iran's violation of the ceasefire. He also drew attention to a moment when he pointed at Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's white shoes while appearing to laugh with Trump.
