NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance has held "several conversations this week" with President Trump, following Trump's recent criticism of the organization.

In an interview on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Rutte addressed Trump's recent characterization of NATO as a "paper tiger without the U.S." The NATO chief indicated that despite the tensions, diplomatic dialogue has continued between the alliance and the Trump administration.

Rutte described it as "good news" that 22 nations, including many NATO members, have "come together" in recent discussions, though he did not provide specific details about the nature of these conversations or what agreements may have been reached.

The comments come amid broader tensions over U.S. commitment to the transatlantic alliance. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is retiring, criticized Trump's recent threats against NATO in a separate Sunday interview on ABC's "This Week." Tillis argued that "the president of the United States cannot withdraw from NATO" and warned that American lives would "be lost in great numbers without" the alliance.

The exchanges highlight ongoing debates about NATO's role and U.S. participation in the alliance amid various international conflicts, including ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Trump has previously questioned the value of NATO commitments and criticized member nations for insufficient defense spending.