NATO has criticized comments made by Donald Trump at a campaign event, claiming they “put US and European soldiers at increased risk”.
The former US president had said that he would allow this Russia “They do whatever the hell they want” to coalition members who don't pay enough for defense.
At a rally in South Carolina on Saturday. Mr. Trump They referred to an exchange of conversations with a “big country” that asked them whether they would receive protection if Russia attacked them.
I said: Why did you pay? Are you late on your payments? “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.”
In response, NATO said: “NATO remains ready and able to defend all Allies. Any attack on NATO will be met with a united and strong response.”
“Any suggestion that allies will not stand up for each other undermines our entire security, including that of the United States, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk.
He added, “I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential elections, the United States will remain a strong and committed ally in NATO.”
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Trump's comments are likely to heighten concern in Europe about the US withdrawing military support from Ukraine if he is re-elected later this year.
The former president has also long criticized NATO, threatened to withdraw the United States from the alliance, and quarreled with leaders of other member states.
One of his campaign commitments is to fundamentally reevaluate NATO's “purpose and mission.”
In an attempt to reassure fellow NATO members, President Joe Biden signed a £685 million ($886 million) defense bill in January that seeks to prevent any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO.
