Trump is bowing to Putin, says Joe
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden has condemned “dumb” and “shameful” comments by Donald Trump on NATO, in one of the incumbent’s most blistering attacks yet on his likely Republican rival in November’s election.
The 81-year-old Democrat accused his predecessor of bowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin, after Mr Trump said he would encourage Moscow to attack NATO members who failed to meet financial commitments.
“For God’s sake, it’s dumb, it’s shameful, it’s dangerous, it’s un-American,” Mr Biden said in a televised address from the White House to urge the House of Representatives to pass vital war aid for Ukraine.
“Can you imagine a former president of the United States saying that? The whole world heard it. And the worst thing is he means it,” he added.
“No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator. Well, let me say this as clearly as I can: I never will.”
Mr Biden accused the real estate tycoon of acting like an organised crime boss when it comes to the crucial Western military alliance.
“When he looks at NATO, he doesn’t see the alliance that protects America and the world. He sees a protection racket,” Mr Biden said.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg reacted by announcing he would detail increased defence spending by members of the alliance. A meeting of defence ministers this week is due to show the number of NATO allies reaching the military spending target of 2 per cent of GDP has almost doubled since last year from 11 of the alliance’s 31 members to 20.
Meanwhile, Republicans plan to stage hearings in congress to focus on Mr Biden’s age and memory as they seek to weaponise his key vulnerability before the election.
Republicans are expanding their impeachment inquiry which has focused on Hunter Biden to also include the President’s fitness for office.