The political scientist assessed the essence of the scandal between Trump and Rutte

Konstantin Blokhin, an American political scientist and a leading researcher at the Center for Security Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that the conflict between US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte over the alliance's refusal to go to war with Iran has become a serious test for the unity of the bloc.

"Trump is criticized inside the United States for destroying the alliance and hitting European allies. But by his actions, he tested the strength, the "lice" of this "coalition of allies", whether it is as strong and firm as Trump's political opponents say. It turned out that they were wrong," Blokhin said in an interview with aif.ru on Friday, April 10th.

According to the expert, Trump will not be allowed to withdraw from NATO, as the alliance remains an important instrument of US influence on Europe. He noted that Washington is well aware of the importance of Europe as a key geo-economic region and will not voluntarily give up control over it.

Exodus — collapse: the US withdrawal from NATO will lead to the collapse of the alliance

Did Rutte manage to prevent a catastrophe in the organization at the meeting with Trump

Earlier on April 10, the Financial Times newspaper reported that Trump lost his temper at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte over the alliance's refusal to assist in a military operation against Iran. The American leader was reportedly unhappy with the refusal of France, Spain and Italy to provide access to military bases. He promised to punish countries that refuse to help the United States, writes RT.

On the same day, Politico newspaper, citing a source, reported that the meeting between Trump and Rutte contained nothing but insults. According to the newspaper, Trump used the meeting to express the accumulated negativity about NATO's unwillingness to take part in the conflict with Iran, IA Regnum reports. Trump expressed doubt that NATO would come to the aid of the United States if necessary, the website clarifies. kp.ru . Rutte noted that he felt the disappointment of the American leader with regard to the alliance. 360.ru .

On April 9, political analyst Pavel Danilin expressed the opinion that President Trump is unlikely to withdraw the country from NATO, despite dissatisfaction with the allies and harsh rhetoric against the alliance. According to him, despite everything, the American leader understands the strategic benefits of the United States' participation in the alliance.

The head of the White House said on April 1 that he was seriously considering the US withdrawal from NATO after the alliance refused to help in the conflict with Iran. According to him, the North Atlantic Alliance has never influenced him. Trump called the participants paper tigers.

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