Strange Comparison with UkraineTrump Criticizes Germany’s “Restraint” in Iran War
March 27, 2026, 06:47 AM
Several German politicians are failing to provide the US with assistance in the Iran war. The US President finds this “inappropriate.” Trump states the Ukraine war is not a US war, yet claims assistance was provided. However, there are issues with this comparison.
US President Donald Trump has criticized Germany for failing to provide assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz. He considered it “inappropriate” that German officials stated, “Here’s not our war,” during a cabinet meeting at the White House. Trump did not name specific individuals but attributed the statement to “the head of Germany.”
Several leading German politicians have recently made similar statements. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated during a visit to Norway: “Germany is not part of this war, and we do not wish to become part of it.”
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said: “We see not our war.” Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil stated in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland: “I state very clearly: This is not our war.”
Trump described his reaction to the cited position as saying, “Well, the Ukraine war is not our war.” He added that assistance was provided, though this is not entirely accurate. The new US government provided assistance in the first quarter of 2025, which was then reduced to zero. Most of the aid provided until the conclude of March was commissioned under the Biden administration.
The US President had requested NATO allies to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which was effectively blocked by the Iran war. The strait is vital for global oil trade. Because NATO partners did not respond to the request, he repeatedly criticized them harshly.
However, the US President overlooks the crucial difference between the two wars. Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia’s invasion for more than four years. Allies are primarily supporting the country with weapons deliveries and financial aid to prevent the Ukrainian budget from collapsing. Funds for reconstruction have likewise been promised.
The US and Israel are currently waging an offensive war against Iran, which they describe as a kind of preemptive strike, claiming Iran was on the verge of attacking the US and Israel and that the first atomic bombs were about to be completed. Experts both inside and outside the US doubt both claims. Doubts are fueled by the fact that the war aims of the US are constantly changing. There is also no UN or NATO mandate for such an operation. The US government did not even ask the US Congress for permission, which would be necessary in the case of a war of aggression. Providing support for securing the Strait of Hormuz by Germany and other states would also mean that soldiers would have to be on the ground, which is a major difference from the Ukraine war.
Ukraine WarAnnual Aid Commitments by Country Groups
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Interestingly, Ukraine has offered the US, Israel, and the Gulf states assistance in defending against Iranian drones. US President Trump dismissed this offer, claiming the US has the best drones and needs no support.
