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False Claim: Rutte Threatens US Expulsion from NATO
A false claim alleges NATO's Secretary General threatened to expel the US if Trump conceded Ukraine to Putin. Fact-checkers debunk this, revealing a disinformation campaign to destabilize NATO.
German
Germany
PoliticsInternational RelationsUs PoliticsEuropean UnionNetherlandsNatoDisinformationFact-Check
NatoDwClingendael InstituteIsd (Institute For Strategic Dialogue)Pravda
Mark RutteDonald TrumpVladimir PutinDick Zandee
- Why is NATO a frequent target of disinformation campaigns?
- Experts like Dick Zandee highlight that NATO is a frequent target of disinformation campaigns, particularly those seeking to portray NATO as responsible for the war in Ukraine. These campaigns aim to sow discord and weaken the alliance.
- What was Rutte's actual reaction to Trump's election victory?
- NATO Secretary General Rutte congratulated Trump on his election victory and expressed his willingness to cooperate with the new US administration. This contradicts the false narrative of imminent US expulsion.
- What does the NATO treaty say about a member state being expelled?
- According to Article 13 of the NATO treaty, only member states can withdraw, not be expelled. NATO decisions require consensus among all member states, preventing any unilateral actions by the Secretary General.
- Where did the false claim about Rutte's threat originate and how did it spread?
- The false statement originated on Telegram and was amplified on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and even Russian news sites. This disinformation campaign aims to destabilize NATO by creating tensions among its members.
- Is the claim that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte threatened to expel the US from NATO true?
- A false claim circulated on social media alleging that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte threatened to expel the US from NATO if Trump yielded Ukraine to Putin is untrue. This claim lacks evidence and contradicts Rutte's public statements.