U.S. President Donald Trump's reaction was prompted by a decision by Spain and Italy not to allow U.S. forces to use their air bases and airspace for military operations aimed at Iran.

According to Kalev Stoicescu (Eesti 200), chair of the Riigikogu National Defense Committee, Italy and Spain are sovereign states and therefore free to make decisions about what happens within their own borders.

"What is taking place in Iran is an operation outside NATO. On the other hand, of course, the U.S. rightly expects that if it contributes to ensuring Europe's security and is prepared to go to war if Russia or anyone else were to attack Europe, then it expects that European allies would also assist the U.S. when necessary," Stoicescu said.

At the same time, the United States did not warn its allies in advance about the attack on Iran, nor has it so far requested direct military assistance.

However, Stoicescu said he was not concerned that NATO unity might be wavering. In his view, Trump is known for making sweeping statements and there is still plenty of time before the NATO summit in Ankara in August for him to change his position multiple times.

"Let's not start ringing alarm bells or fall into panic just yet. The rhetoric does sound more serious, but I believe there is a clear understanding in the U.S. that NATO is also necessary for the United States, not only for Europeans," Stoicescu said.

Helme: The signal is serious

Mart Helme (EKRE), deputy chair of the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee, said that Trump has also tested Europe with his previous statements, which, from Trump's perspective, have failed.

According to Helme, from Trump's point of view NATO has lost its necessity because "this is a NATO where you rely only on Uncle Sam to wave his wallet and keep his missiles constantly ready to fire in your defense. This is not the kind of NATO we need," Helme said, describing Trump's way of thinking.

In Helme's view, this therefore constitutes a very serious signal.

"I don't think NATO will suddenly fall apart overnight, but it means that in any crisis, solutions will begin on an ad hoc basis," Helme said.

According to the politician, this means that each crisis would involve even more intensive diplomatic bargaining.

"Let's not keep deceiving ourselves by saying, 'it's not that bad, let's not take Trump's words so literally, let's interpret them differently.' That is simply self-deception," Helme said.

Kaljulaid agrees with Helme

Committee member Raimond Kaljulaid (SDE) pointed out that the U.S. president indicated in his remarks that he had never believed in or taken NATO seriously.

In doing so, he returned to the NATO-critical stance of his first term.

However, Kaljulaid noted it was significant that Trump's criticism was also joined by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. For that reason, the lawmaker said the remarks should be taken particularly seriously.

"If we imagine a scale where at one end this is merely political or domestic political rhetoric, then I believe we are closer to the other end of that line. Indeed, either some kind of shift has taken place in American politics or it is at least being considered very seriously," Kaljulaid said.

In Kaljulaid's assessment, statements by the Estonian government in the context of the war in Iran have generally been appropriate.

"These reasons are not only related to the fact that this is a war initiated by our key ally, the United States, but I think that in Estonia there is also a somewhat sharper understanding of what Iran and the Iranian regime actually are," Kaljulaid said.

According to him, Iran was one of the first countries to assist Russia with military equipment in its war against Ukraine and since 2022 the two countries have grown significantly closer.

Sibul satisfied with government communication

Priit Sibul, an Isamaa MP and committee member, said it is likely clear to everyone that Estonia's main ally is the United States and that NATO is vital for the country.

However, this does not mean that Estonia lacks its own interests.

"What matters is that Estonia does not simply follow others blindly. The United States is certainly our main ally, but of course we have our own interests and understandings that may not be shared by everyone in Europe," Sibul said.

According to Sibul, the government's communication with the United States has generally been satisfactory.

"There have been some questionable moments where politicians from the governing coalition have criticized MAGA politics, but overall I think our positions in Estonia are unified," Sibul said.

Arhipov urges calm

Riigikogu National Defense Committee and Center Party member Vladimir Arhipov said that calm must be maintained.

"I think he [Trump] is simply using this to pressure those countries where he wants to deploy his air forces in order to end the conflict with Iran," the MP said.

According to him, even if such statements were to materialize, Estonia should continue its current course — namely, investing heavily in national defense.

Arhipov added that Estonia should not become overly eager in its dealings with the United States and should instead proceed based on realpolitik.

Kiili: Leaving NATO not all that simple

Meelis Kiili (Reform), who also serves on the National Defense Committee, said that Donald Trump frequently makes statements driven by emotion, while a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is not that simple.

"Given the democratic system in place in the United States, this cannot be his decision alone," Kiili said.

At the same time, the MP stressed that it should not be forgotten that the U.S. also needs NATO.

"There is no reason to worry either. Of course, we now have to do a great deal of work to convince our strategic partner that we need them and they need us," Kiili said.

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