Lithuanian president dismisses concerns about NATO's future

VILNIUS - Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on Wednesday dismissed fears that criticism of NATO allies by U.S. President Donald Trump could spell the end of the alliance.

"This is certainly not the end of NATO. As a collective defense organization, NATO has been the most successful defense project since World War II, serving us during the Cold War, now, and into the future," Nausėda told reporters.

The president made the remarks following a meeting in Vilnius with his Estonian counterpart, Alar Karis, who also downplayed the significance of Trump's rhetoric.

"NATO has a very long history and has seen better and worse times. I am fully convinced that NATO will endure," Karis said.

Concerns about a potential split in the alliance have grown following Trump's threats regarding Greenland and Denmark, as well as his criticism of allied stances on the conflict with Iran.