NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is facing growing scrutiny from European allies over his perceived unwavering support for former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to diplomatic sources. The criticism comes amid heightened tensions within the alliance over defense spending and Ukraine policy.
Multiple European officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, described frustration with Stoltenberg’s public deference to Trump during his presidency and continued alignment with the former leader’s NATO views. ‘There’s a sense he never fully transitioned from being Trump’s favorite ally to representing all members equally,’ one senior EU diplomat told Reuters.
Stoltenberg, who has led NATO since 2014, successfully navigated the Trump era by personally courting the mercurial president while maintaining alliance cohesion. However, his approach has drawn renewed criticism as Trump campaigns for a potential second term. Analysts note European concerns stem from Trump’s past threats to withdraw from NATO and his recent comments suggesting he wouldn’t defend allies failing to meet defense spending targets.
The NATO chief’s office declined to comment on what it called ‘internal alliance matters,’ but pointed to Stoltenberg’s public statements emphasizing NATO’s collective decision-making process. ‘The Secretary-General represents all 32 allies equally and works tirelessly to maintain transatlantic unity,’ a NATO spokesperson said.
Political analysts suggest the criticism reflects broader European anxiety about a potential Trump return to office and its implications for Ukraine support. ‘This isn’t just about Stoltenberg – it’s about European leaders preparing for a scenario where NATO’s largest contributor might fundamentally change its approach to the alliance,’ said Sophia Becker, a transatlantic relations expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations.