Donald Trump threatened to stop supplying weapons for Ukraine in order to pressure European nations into joining a ‘coalition of the willing’ to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to people briefed on the discussions.
Ever since the war began, the Islamic Republic has enforced the de facto closure of the vital waterway through which a fifth of the world’s daily oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply passes.
Last month, the US President called on Nato nations to help him reopen the narrow passageway, but he was rebuffed by European capitals which said it would be impossible while fighting was ongoing, with several also claiming that this was ‘not our war’.
In response, Trump threatened to stop supplies to Nato’s Purl, a European-funded initiative which secures the procurement of US weapons for Kyiv‘s war, according to the Financial Times.
As a result of the US President’s warning, and at the urging of Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, a group of countries including France, Germany and the UK issued an urgent statement on March 19 which said: ‘We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait [of Hormuz].’
An official briefed on the President’s thinking told the FT: ‘It was Rutte who insisted on the joint statement because Trump had threatened to withdraw from Purl and from Ukraine in general.
‘The statement was then quickly put together, and other countries joined in afterwards because there was not enough time to invite everyone to sign up straight away.’
In the two days before the hastily written statement was published, Rutte was involved in several calls with Trump and US secretary of state Marco Rubio.
The Nato chief will travel to Washington next week for a ‘long-planned visit’ as tensions continue to escalate and the transatlantic rift widens.
Donald Trump threatened to stop supplying weapons for Ukraine in order to pressure European nations into joining a ‘coalition of the willing’ to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to people briefed on the discussions
Firefighters work at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa region, Ukraine, April 2
One official said that that Rutte – while in a call with France, Germany and the UK – described Trump as ‘rather hysterical’ at his allies’ refusal to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
British officials did not deny that Washington had threatened to withdraw from Purl, adding that the UK and the US were discussing on a ‘military to military basis’ options for protecting the strait before March 19.
Deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly said: ‘President Trump has made his disappointment with Nato and other allies clear, and as the president emphasised, “the United States will remember”.’
The US President dubbed the alliance a ‘paper tiger’ and said removing America from the defence treaty was now ‘beyond reconsideration’ in an interview with the Telegraph.
In recent weeks, he has accused his European allies of being ‘cowards’ who have done ‘absolutely nothing’ to help his war with Iran, declaring: ‘The U.S.A. needs nothing from NATO, but “never forget” this very important point in time!’
The sentiment was echoed by Rubio, who said America will ‘reexamine’ its relationship with Nato once the Iran war has ended.
‘I think there’s no doubt, unfortunately, after this conflict is concluded, we are going to have to reexamine that relationship. We’re going to have to reexamine the value of Nato in that alliance for our country,’ Rubio said on Fox News, adding that ‘ultimately’ it would be a decision for President Trump to make.
The President previously told Reuters that he planned to announce in an evening address to the American public on Wednesday evening that he would ‘absolutely’ consider withdrawing from the Western alliance.
In response to a question about Trump’s frustration at European nations over the Strait of Hormuz, Rutte said: ‘I am confident that allies, as always, will do everything in support of our shared interests.’
In the televised evening address, Trump doubled-down on his demands for Nato: ‘To those countries that can’t get fuel, many of which refuse to get involved in the decapitation of Iran… build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait and just take it. Protect it.’
More nations have signed the joint statement since it was published on March 19.
The UK will host talks on Thursday among 35 countries aimed at forming a coalition to reopen the crucial waterway ‘after the fighting has stopped’, following weeks of pressure from Trump.
The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran has intensified global demand for Pac-3 interceptor missiles fired by Patriot air defence systems, and utilised by Gulf nations to defend against Tehran’s strikes.
The interceptors are also a central part of Kyiv’s defence against Moscow’s missiles.
Rubio said on Friday that US military supplies to Ukraine through the Purl initiative have not been reduced by the crisis in the Middle East. ‘Nothing yet has been diverted,’ he added.
But Rubio did not rule out that Washington might in the future seek to divert weapons earmarked for Kyiv to replenish US stockpiles expended in the war against the Islamic Republic.
‘If we need something for America and it’s American, we’re going to keep it for America first,’ he said.
