NATO's Rutte says Europeans have 'gotten message' from Trump

By Andrew Gray

BRUSSELS, ‌May 4 (Reuters) - European ​nations ​have "gotten the message" from U.S. President Donald Trump and are now ensuring that agreements on ‌the use of military bases are being implemented, ⁠NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday.

Trump has accused some ‌NATO nations of not ‌doing enough to support the United States in the Iran war. In a further sign of his discontent ​with European allies, the U.S. announced on Friday plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

"Yes, there has ⁠been some disappointment from the U.S. side, but Europeans have listened," Rutte told ​reporters at a European Political Community summit in Armenia.

"They are now making sure that all ​the bilateral basing agreements are ‌being implemented," he said.

NATO member Spain has said that military bases on its territory cannot ⁠be used for the war with Iran. But Rutte said other NATO countries such as Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, ⁠Italy, Britain, France and Germany were implementing requests for the use ​of bases and other logistical support.

Rutte also said "more and more" European nations were pre-positioning assets such as minehunters and minesweepers close ‌to the Gulf to be ready for a "next phase".

Multiple European nations have said they are ‌willing to take part in a mission to help ⁠ensure freedom of navigation ‌through the Strait ​of Hormuz once the war is over.

(Reporting by Andrew Gray, editing by Inti Landauro and Richard ‌Lough)

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