US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, 25 June declared that several NATO allies had “let us down” during the conflict with Iran, saying he expected greater loyalty from partners even as he insisted the United States required no military assistance. Trump made the remarks alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, ahead of next month’s NATO summit in Ankara.

Trump’s Disappointment With European Allies

Speaking directly and without diplomatic hedging, Trump said the US had acted decisively against Iran but felt let down by European partners. “We were let down. We didn’t need help on this at all. We demolished them in literally the first week, but it would have been nice if they would have said, ‘We’d like to help,’” Trump said.

He singled out specific countries by name: “I was disappointed with Italy. I was disappointed with the UK... We were disappointed with Germany and France. We were disappointed with most of them.” The public rebuke of close allies at a White House press event is notable, coming just days before the alliance’s annual summit.

Rutte’s Defence of European Contributions

Rutte acknowledged “a reason for disappointment” in some cases but characterised them as “isolated cases.” He argued that Europe’s role as a logistical platform was indispensable to the Iran operation. “I would argue, it would have been very difficult to do Iran without having Europe as a power projection platform for the United States,” Rutte said, adding that “between 4,000 and 5,000 US planes” had taken off from European air bases during the conflict.

Rutte also credited Trump’s pressure with driving up defence spending across Europe and Canada, pointing to increased budgets in Germany, Poland, Denmark, and the Baltic states.

The 5% Defence Spending Demand

Trump renewed pressure on NATO members to meet the 5 per cent of GDP defence spending target that allies reportedly agreed to six months ago. “The big question is, are they paying the five per cent? They agreed six months ago... to pay five per cent. And for the most part, they’re not paying,” he said.

The upcoming Ankara summit on 7–8 July is expected to centre on implementing this spending framework, with a target year of 2035, alongside strengthening defence industrial output and continued support for Ukraine. This comes amid a broader pattern of Trump using NATO gatherings to extract financial commitments from European members — a tactic he has employed since his first term.

Iran Negotiations and Hormuz Warning

Despite his frustration with allies, Trump expressed optimism about ongoing talks with Tehran. “We’re doing great in our negotiations with Iran,” he said, adding earlier in the day that “Iran is making very big concessions.” Rutte echoed the urgency, stating that Iran acquiring nuclear capability “would be a danger to the whole world.”

Asked whether he would accept any future arrangement allowing Iran to impose fees on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump was unequivocal: “It would be unacceptable to me... I wouldn’t allow it there either.”

Turkey, F-35s, and Ukraine on the Agenda

Trump spoke warmly of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of the Ankara summit, calling him “a friend” who is “doing a great job.” On Turkey’s long-pending request for F-35 fighter jets, Vice President JD Vance said the administration was reviewing whether all legal requirements had been satisfied. “We’re running the traps and confirming that’s happened. This is really a congressional thing,” Vance said.

On Ukraine, Trump said President Volodymyr Zelensky was “doing pretty well” and “holding his own,” describing him as “courageous.” The alliance’s position on continued support for Kyiv is expected to be reaffirmed at the Ankara summit.

With the Ankara summit days away, the central question is whether Trump’s loyalty demand will translate into a formal accountability mechanism — or remain rhetorical pressure ahead of a photo-op.