Europeans have "heard" US President Donald Trump's message of frustration over the Iran war and are "stepping up", NATO chief Mark Rutte said after the US announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

Europeans have "heard" US President Donald Trump's message of frustration over the Iran war and are "stepping up", NATO chief Mark Rutte said after the US announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

"Europeans are stepping up, a bigger role for Europe and a stronger NATO," said alliance chief Mark Rutte, days after the US announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

"Europeans are stepping up, a bigger role for Europe and a stronger NATO," said alliance chief Mark Rutte, days after the US announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

Europeans have "heard" US President Donald Trump's message of frustration over the Iran war and are "stepping up", NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Monday after Washington announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. "European leaders have gotten the message," Rutte said before talks with European leaders in Armenia. "Europeans are stepping up," Rutte insisted ahead of a European Political Community meeting dominated by the twin security threats posed by the Ukraine and Middle East wars.

This comes after Mr Trump accused some NATO nations of not doing enough to support the US war in Iran. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

This comes after the US leader accused some NATO nations of not doing enough to support the US war in Iran. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said at the opening of the EPC summit in Armenia that Europe has "heard" Washington's frustration over its conflict with Iran and are "stepping up."