Washington: Despite his statements, President Donald Trump cannot withdraw the US from NATO without congressional approval, said Nancy Pelosi, a former longtime speaker of the US House of Representatives, criticizing his threats to leave the alliance as 'shortsighted.'

According to Anadolu Agency, posting Saturday on US social media company X, Pelosi said NATO was formed 77 years ago by the US and its allies as an alliance rooted in peace and democracy. 'Trump's threats to leave are not only shortsighted, they're a gift to (Russian President) Vladimir Putin,' said Pelosi, who served as US House Speaker from 2007 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023.

Emphasizing the legal limitations, Pelosi stressed: 'The law is clear: No President can withdraw from NATO without Congressional approval.' The remarks come as Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO, calling it a 'paper tiger' over its response to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, also blasting alliance members as 'cowards,' while saying leaving the alliance was 'beyond reconsideration.'

Under a law passed in 2023, the US president cannot unilaterally withdraw from NATO without the approval of two-thirds of the Senate or an act of Congress.