FT reported dissatisfaction with the actions of the NATO Secretary General in the EU over Iran

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has angered European authorities with his unconditional support for the US military operation in Iran. The Financial Times newspaper reported on this on March 25, citing senior diplomatic sources.

"This puts us in a really awkward and uncomfortable position. We want to show our readiness, but it is also true that we are not in a position to interfere in any way [in the conflict]," the publication quoted a senior EU diplomat as saying.

The authors added that concern in many European capitals about the conflict that has devastated the Middle East and led to a sharp rise in oil and gas prices stands in stark contrast to Rutte's comments, who regularly tried to please and praise American leader Donald Trump in an effort to preserve U.S. participation in the military alliance.

There is no agreement: why NATO will not join the attacks on Iran

The United States can create an informal coalition of allies, but most of the alliance's countries will prefer only to observe.

The Politico newspaper reported on January 27 that disagreements between Paris and the NATO Secretary General had escalated over the future of European security and the ability to defend itself without US help. Rutte did not share the French enthusiasm, arguing that the Europeans need to "stop dreaming" and strengthen their partnership with the Americans to ensure their own security.

On January 25, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles denied Mark Rutte's words that the bloc's allies massively support the US military campaign. At the same time, she noted that the refusal to directly participate in the strikes on Tehran does not make Madrid a less significant partner for the alliance.

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