Asked whether Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was confident that the United States would remain a reliable partner regardless of who wins the vote expected in November, his official spokesman said: “We have always worked with the United States and we have worked with the United States through a number of administrations.” We will continue to do so in the future.”
download
On Saturday, Trump recalled to the rally how, when he was president, he told an unnamed NATO member that he would “encourage” Russia to do whatever it wants in cases of “delinquent” allies.
“You didn't pay? Are you retarded?” Trump narrated, saying: “No, I'm not going to protect you. In fact, I'd encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You have to pay. You have to pay your bills.”
These statements sparked a rebuke from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said that any suggestion that the allies would not defend each other “completely undermines our security.”
During his time in office, Trump repeatedly criticized European NATO members for relying too heavily on US military protection while failing to meet an agreed-upon level of investment in their armed forces.
His tantrums were often directed at Germany and other major European economies, including France, whose levels remain below the 2 percent target set by NATO. However, following Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago, both are expected to achieve the target in the coming years, with Germany expected to surpass the level this year for the first time since 1991.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Trump's comments were “irresponsible” and told reporters on Monday that Trump's comments were “in Russia's interest.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country spends more than any NATO ally at 4.3% of GDP on defence, said during a visit to Paris that there was “no alternative” to European security.
“Europe must become a safe continent,” he said, citing the slogan taken from the French novel “The Three Musketeers” – “All for one, one for all.”
