German Foreign Minister Johann Vaddeful expressed concerns about US President Donald Trump's comments about "a possible US withdrawal from NATO", DPA reported, BTA reported.
"Of course, such statements worry me", the German Foreign Minister said. However, he added that he believes the US exit from the alliance can still be prevented.
"I think our clear commitment and strong support for the alliance will convince the US to continue together", he noted.
Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently threatened again that the US would leave NATO over the allies' refusal to join the war in Iran.
When asked by the British newspaper "The Telegraph" whether he would reconsider NATO membership, Trump replied: "Oh, yes, I would say it is beyond reconsideration."
Trump is irritated that various NATO members do not support the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran, DPA recalls.
Vadeful said that NATO is of "huge importance" for the security of Germany and all other allies and stressed that the alliance is stronger than ever. He pointed to the accession of Sweden and Finland, as well as the commitment of Europeans to spend 5% of GDP on defense.
The Foreign Minister also noted that Trump cannot make a decision to withdraw from NATO alone. "He will need at least the approval of the Senate," Vaddeful emphasized.
Trump recently faced resistance from both parties in the US Senate because of his statements, DPA recalls. In a joint statement released Wednesday, Democrat Chris Coons and Republican Mitch McConnell, the former Senate majority leader, wrote that American citizens are safer when NATO is strong.
"The Senate will continue to support the alliance for the peace and protection it provides to America, Europe, and the world," the statement said.