Moscow: NATO chief’s remarks “unconvincing”.. Crisis threatens alliance

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s remarks about the alliance’s “strength,” stating they lack credibility amid rising transatlantic tensions.

Zakharova said Rutte’s remarks are “unconvincing, to say the least,” at a time when transatlantic relations are experiencing their most acute crisis in recent years, noting that the situation within the alliance is “not as bright” as Rutte tries to portray.

These remarks come amid escalating tensions within the NATO structure, with deep-rooted disagreements between European allies and the United States over defense, funding, and the future of support for Ukraine. Spain’s El Mundo newspaper quoted NATO sources as saying the alliance is experiencing one of the deepest crises in its history, which could lead to its dissolution.

U.S. President Donald Trump had described the alliance as a “paper tiger” without U.S. participation, directing sharp criticism at allies for refusing to support Washington in confronting Iran and in operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom would host a meeting later this week for countries willing to cooperate on reopening the strait, with the British Foreign Secretary chairing this first-of-its-kind meeting. Germany and France have refused to support the initiative, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that EU countries are not prepared to send naval forces to the region.

In a related context, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that President Trump will decide on the alliance’s future after the confrontation with Iran ends, indicating that the fate of the world’s largest military alliance may be at stake in the coming phase.

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