Donald Trump said at the election conference on Saturday that he would “encourage” Russia to attack NATO countries that do not meet their economic obligations.
Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg intervened on Sunday in Trump’s most recent remarks concerning NATO member countries, i.e. also Finland.
Ex-president seeking the Republican presidential nomination Donald Trump said at a rally in South Carolina that he would “encourage” Russia to attack members of the military alliance NATO that have failed to meet their economic obligations.
In his speech, Trump described a conversation he had with another head of state at a NATO meeting, the time or place of which he did not specify.
– The president of a big country stood up and said: Listen, sir, if we don’t pay and Russia attacks us, will you protect us? I said: You didn’t pay, you are unable to pay?
– No, I wouldn’t protect you. In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever they want. You have to pay, the bills have to be paid, the ex-president said.
Trump’s speeches sparked worried comments in Europe.
– Insinuations that NATO member countries do not defend each other weaken the security situation and put American and European soldiers at risk, says the NATO Secretary General in his statement.
He adds that an attack against a NATO country would be responded to with unity and force.
White House: Friendly comments
According to the White House, Trump’s comments are “intentional”.
– Enticing murderous regimes to attack our closest allies is repugnant and insane, summed up the representative of the White House Andrew Bates in his own statement.
– Unlike Trump, President Biden continues to strengthen the leadership of the United States and does not incite wars and promote chaos, Bates continued.
EU Commissioner Thierry Breton on the other hand stated that the EU countries do understand that more money must be put into defense. He was pained by the situation that Europe has also found itself in due to the wave of political cycles in the United States.
– We cannot flip a coin on our security every four years depending on the outcome of the US election.
Polish Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote in the message service X that the election campaign cannot be an excuse for playing with NATO’s security.
Sources: Reuters, STT