Donald Trump’s public comments questioning NATO unity are undermining deterrence against Russia, Commander of the Dutch Armed Forces, General Onno Eichelsheim said.

Axar.az reports, in an interview with Sky News, General Eichelsheim said Trump’s remarks about the alliance were “not a wise thing to say”, warning that such rhetoric weakens NATO’s collective deterrence.

“It never helps, because our best deterrence is having an alliance that looks as an alliance,” Eichelsheim said.

However, he stressed that military-to-military relations with the United States remain unchanged and expressed confidence in Washington’s commitment to NATO’s core obligations.

“I am fully convinced that they will comply to Article 5. If we ask them to help us out, they will do it,” he said, referring to Article 5 of the NATO treaty.

Eichelsheim also said he understands European expectations that allies must contribute more to their own defense, but warned that public questioning of NATO commitment is harmful.

“It is not good to use also rhetoric like, ‘Well I am not sure if I will help the nations in NATO’,” he said. “That is, I think, not a wise thing to say.”

The remarks come after Trump reportedly described NATO as a “paper tiger” and suggested he was considering withdrawing from the alliance.

The Dutch commander added that Europe will still need several years to fully develop the military capabilities required to take on a larger share of NATO’s defense responsibilities.