Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has called for the United States to withdraw from NATO in response to a Norwegian fuel company’s decision to stop refueling U.S. military ships. His remarks come after the company, Haltbakk Bunkers, announced that it would no longer supply fuel to U.S. naval vessels in Norwegian ports. Lee’s comments are indicative of broader frustration with European attitudes toward U.S. foreign policy, particularly in light of recent tensions surrounding Ukraine.
Lee voiced his discontent on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Europe doesn’t love us. Let’s leave NATO.”
Haltbakk Bunkers, a Norwegian fuel company, explicitly stated that it would cease supplying fuel to U.S. military ships docking in Norwegian ports due to their behavior towards Ukraine. They adopted a “No Fuel to Americans,” policy and encouraged other nations to follow suit.
This decision is emblematic of the growing division between Europe and the United States over U.S. leadership and its role in international conflicts.
Critics of NATO argue that the U.S. should prioritize its own interests and avoid entangling itself in alliances that may not always align with its values or goals. They also note the imbalance of NATO, with European countries benefitting disproportionately from the United States’ financial backing. This perspective is gaining traction among some members of the Republican Party, particularly in light of growing frustration over the U.S.’s ongoing involvement in the war in Ukraine.
The decision from the Norwegian company follows a tense meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. officials at the White House, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Zelensky, who has been critical of Western support for Ukraine, reportedly made several disrespectful comments during the meeting, including criticisms of European governments and U.S. administrations for failing to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin after his annexation of Crimea in 2014.
During the meeting, Vance advocated for diplomacy as the “path to peace and prosperity,” leading to an exchange of sharp words. “What kind of diplomacy are you talking about?” Zelensky reportedly asked, dismissing the idea outright. Trump also corrected Zelensky’s assertion that Ukraine had been “alone” in its fight against Russia, pointing out that the U.S. had provided substantial military and monetary aid to Ukraine.
“You haven’t been alone,” Trump said. “We gave you, through [our] stupid president, $350 billion. We gave you military equipment… If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would’ve been over in two weeks.”
Vance also pressed him on a lack of appreciation for all that America had provided, and following the meeting, Zelensky expressed gratitude toward the U.S. for its support, noting that he was still prepared to sign the minerals agreement.
The aftermath of the meeting saw Zelensky being asked to leave the White House, and it was confirmed that he did not sign the minerals agreement that had been the focus of the meeting. Trump later issued a statement, criticizing Zelensky’s approach and stating, “Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved,” and adding, “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
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Seijah Drake was born in Boston, MA, where she developed a penchant for writing early on and a passion for politics in college. After college she worked briefly for a conservative media in New York before relocating to the Greater D.C. Area to pursue a career in political marketing. She now resides in the free state of Florida.
Great idea senator Lee! I also believe it is a good time to start withdrawing some of the seven hundred and fifty thousand U.S. troops from Europe. Let NATO take care of their own defense. Let Germany, France and England provide for the NATO countries and Ukraine. Perhaps Zalinski can hire out as a comedian again and provide for Ukraine’s military and fiscal needs.
Americans, Senator Mike Lee: Hello. I suggest, cancel membership in the “u.n.” ASAP. That “organization” is so anti-America and we have to foot substantial expenses there. They violate our sovereignty, want to meddle in our infrastructure, especially our water supplies and grid, and our electrical supplies and grid, et al, and they want to violate our Second Amendment with their Small Arms and Ammunition “treaty”. And they expect to impose a globalist tax upon our USA and citizens as well.
Get lost !
Once so-cancelled, the “membership”, immediately revoke diplomatic immunity for all foreign officials within the U.N Building and evict them from the Building.. The U.N. Building must be confiscated by the Department of the Interior to manage and re-zone the Building for both U.S. commercial companies in designated sections of the Building and residential condos and apartments in other sections.