Europe needs U.S. protection for another 10 years, and leaders of European NATO countries should be diplomatic so as not to alienate U.S. leader Donald Trump. This was stated by Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken in an interview with Politico.

The European Union is still far, in his words, from being ready to defend itself without constant U.S. assistance, so Europeans “need the Americans to remain on their side.” Europe will need, according to the minister’s assessment, “from five to ten years” to build up its military potential, a process currently supported by the United States.

The main thing now, as the head of the Belgian defense ministry said, is not to anger Trump. “We need the Americans, we need to be diplomatic, listen to what they are saying, and try to be accommodating,” he believes.

Francken warned European leaders against giving preference to domestic defense companies in arms supply contracts under the EU program, calling such a step “absolutely protectionist.”

Trump has recently sharply criticized allies in Europe for refusing to join the war with Iran. All EU countries refused to take part in military action alongside the United States against the Islamic republic. In response, the U.S. president called the European allies cowards and promised to “remember this.” He also criticized NATO, calling the alliance a “paper tiger.”