During a recent press conference, former President Donald Trump was asked by a Sky News reporter about NATO chief Mark Rutte's playful comment referring to him as "Daddy." The reporter inquired whether Trump views his NATO allies as akin to children. Although Trump did not directly answer the question, he noted that Rutte's remark was made in an affectionate tone, humorously adding, "You're my Daddy," seemingly in jest. When pressed further about whether he believes NATO allies can defend Europe without U.S. assistance, Trump acknowledged that they will need some help initially, but expressed confidence in their intelligence, stating, "They're smart."
Shifting the focus to Iran, Trump was questioned about the effectiveness of recent U.S. strikes on the Fordo nuclear site. The Pentagon's early assessment suggested that the strikes had not completely dismantled Iran's nuclear program, likely only delaying it by months. Trump responded by stating that the intelligence community could only "guess" the outcome, emphasizing that the damage was significant and that the area surrounding the site was "black with fire." He reiterated his claim that the nuclear materials were "obliterated," urging the intelligence community to wait for definitive answers before drawing conclusions.
During the same session, Trump brought in Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who commended the U.S. pilots responsible for the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Hegseth criticized the media, specifically targeting CNN and The New York Times for what he described as biased reporting aimed at undermining Trump and the nation. He asserted that the evidence of the bombings is buried under a mountain and that the situation is more complex than reported.
In a subsequent exchange with a journalist from the BBC Ukrainian service, Trump was asked about the possibility of the U.S. selling Patriot missiles to Ukraine. He acknowledged the challenges involved, stating, "That's a very good question and I wish you a lot of luck." Demonstrating empathy, he recognized the distress of the journalist, whose husband serves in Ukraine, and committed to exploring the potential availability of the missiles.
When questioned by an Austrian journalist on why he had not yet succeeded in ending the conflict in Ukraine, Trump admitted that the situation is more complicated than it appears. He mentioned that both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky present their own challenges, referencing a previous contentious interaction with Zelensky at the White House. Trump claimed to have successfully navigated other conflicts in the past, citing resolutions involving Israel, Iran, and India-Pakistan.
Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Spain's decision not to meet the NATO guideline of spending 2% of GDP on defense by 2035. He remarked, "I think it's terrible what Spain has done," pointing out that the country's economy is performing well and questioning the reasoning behind their refusal to commit to defense spending. He emphasized that Spain's stance is "unfair to NATO" and declared intentions to negotiate more favorable trade terms with the nation.
When asked to clarify his understanding of Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which stipulates collective defense, Trump remarked on the strong sense of patriotism he observed among NATO leaders during recent meetings. He affirmed the necessity of U.S. support while expressing pride in America's role in global security. "I left here saying that these people really love their countries," he noted.
Trump also commented on his interactions with Zelensky, stating that while they did not discuss a ceasefire, he felt Zelensky was amicable and genuinely interested in ending the conflict. Emphasizing the toll of the war on both sides, Trump expressed his belief that he could facilitate a resolution. Additionally, he announced that the White House would be in talks with Iran the following week, indicating a potential agreement while maintaining that the U.S. priority remains preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.
In response to inquiries regarding whether Iran had moved any nuclear materials, Trump asserted that the materials remained in place, citing the difficulty of relocation due to their weight and the site’s fortifications. He conveyed confidence that the strikes had significantly impacted Iran's nuclear ambitions, reading a letter from the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission that attested to the destruction of critical infrastructure at the Fordo facility.
In a final note, Trump expressed gratitude for the pilots involved in the military operation against Iran, praising their skill and bravery in executing the mission under challenging conditions. He emphasized that the U.S. had achieved a "great victory" both in Iran and during the NATO summit, underscoring the significance of these developments in the context of international relations.
