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Russia Calls Trump’s NATO Exit Threat “Showmanship”

2 min read
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Photo of Ivan Khomenko
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Russian leader Vladimir Putin and then Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attend the United Russia Party Congress in Moscow, November 2019. (Source: Getty Images)
Russian leader Vladimir Putin and then Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attend the United Russia Party Congress in Moscow, November 2019. (Source: Getty Images)

Russia’s Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said President Donald Trump is unlikely to withdraw the United States from NATO, citing institutional constraints in Washington.

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“Of course, neither Trump nor America will leave NATO. There is no point, and Congress will not allow it,” Medvedev said, as cited by Russian media on April 3.

However, he added that limited steps by Washington—such as reducing troop presence or restricting certain supplies—could still affect alliance cohesion. “Trump’s rhetoric is pure showmanship,” he said.

According to Reuters, Medvedev’s remarks follow renewed debate in Washington and European capitals after Trump said he was “absolutely” considering withdrawing the US from NATO. The statement has raised questions about the future of US security commitments to Europe.

Although US law limits the president’s ability to leave NATO without congressional approval, analysts cited by Reuters note that other actions—such as reducing troop deployments or adjusting military support—could still influence the alliance’s operational capacity and political unity.

The issue has emerged during a period of heightened tension between the United States and European allies. The agency reported that disagreements over European positions on US-linked military actions related to Iran have contributed to what some officials describe as one of the most serious strains in transatlantic relations in decades.

Medvedev’s comments align with longstanding Russian messaging that emphasizes divisions within NATO. According to Reuters, Moscow has repeatedly framed disagreements between Washington and European capitals as indicators of structural weakness within the alliance.

Earlier, Trump has raised the possibility of leaving NATO in previous instances. However, the latest remarks come at a time of increased political friction between the United States and Europe, adding to uncertainty around the alliance’s future direction.

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