Putting lives at risk
NATO boss slams Trump for ‘encouraging Russian attack’
WASHINGTON: The head of NATO has accused Donald Trump of undermining the alliance’s security after the former president said he would “encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to members that do not meet defence spending targets.
Mr Trump, who is favourite to regain the presidency this year, caused consternation with his remarks at a rally on the weekend.
In comments rejecting the collective security guarantee by which each of the 31 NATO member states vows to help if an ally is attacked, Mr Trump said he would not protect “deforceful linquent” members in his strongest criticism of the 75year-old organisation yet.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg accused Mr Trump of putting soldiers at risk.
“Any attack on NATO will be met with a united and response. Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk,” Mr Stoltenberg said.
Mr Trump’s comments will only add to the nervousness of NATO members concerned about what his re-election could mean for their security. He complained throughout his presidency from 2017 to 2021 that America’s allies did not pay their fair share.
NATO members made a commitment in 2006 to spend at least 2 per cent of their GDP on defence but just 11 of the 30 members have met that target.
Mr Trump told the crowd in Conway, South Carolina, that when he was in power, he was asked by the president of a “big country” whether the US would defend them from an attack by Russia.
Mr Trump said: “I said, ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’
“No I would not protect you. In fact I would encourage them (the Russians) to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay your bills.”
His comments came after he complained that the US had spent much more on the war in Ukraine than all of Europe combined, even though “it affects them much more”.
The Biden administration condemned Mr Trump’s remarks as “appalling and unhinged”. Andrew Bates, a White House spokesman, said Mr Trump’s comments “endanger American national security, global stability and our economy at home”.
Former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul said: “This is crazy … Trump shows that he still doesn’t understand how NATO works! It’s not a protection racket; they don’t pay us to protect them.”