Comments made by former President Donald Trump as he continues his campaign to be the 2024 GOP presidential candidate have sparked a response from North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
“Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the U.S., and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk,” Stoltenberg said in a statement, per USA TODAY. “I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the U.S. will remain a strong and committed NATO ally.”
Trump said during a speech in South Carolina that he would not defend NATO members who did not meet defense spending targets, said CBS News. As a U.S. charter member, the nation is obligated to come to the aid of other NATO nations if they are attacked.
According to a CNN report, Trump said “he would encourage Russia to do ‘whatever the hell they want’ to any NATO member country that doesn’t meet spending guidelines.
“NATO was busted until I came along,” Trump claimed. “I said, ‘Everybody’s gonna pay.’ They said, ‘Well, if we don’t pay, are you still going to protect us?’ I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ They couldn’t believe the answer.”
President Joe Biden – who is also campaigning for the 2024 election – mentioned Trump’s comments this Tuesday when making remarks on the Senate passing the Bipartisan Supplemental Agreement that would provide more U.S. funding for Ukraine. While Ukraine is not a NATO member, it does border multiple NATO nations that are now at risk due to the ongoing invasion led by Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.
“Donald Trump looks at this as if it’s a burden. When he looks at NATO, he doesn’t see the alliance that protects America and the world.
He sees a protection racket,” said Biden. “He doesn’t understand that NATO is built on the fundamental principles of freedom, security, and national sovereignty, because, for Trump, principles never matter. Everything is transactional. He doesn’t understand that the sacred commitment we have given works for us as well.”
Trump, on the other hand, appeared to double down on his NATO rhetoric Tuesday.
“NATO Countries have to pay up. They’re making a mockery of the U.S.A. Since my Statements on NATO, they’re all starting to pay again!” he said Truth Social post.
Trump’s base in the GOP has been resistant to supporting Ukrainians from Russia’s invasion. An Associated Press-NORC poll from November found that 59% of Republicans said too much money was spent on Ukraine.
Experts from groups such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Wilson Center have argued that U.S. support of Ukraine is integral to preventing the Russian invasion from having more widespread global fallout.
“The United States should consider support for Ukraine as an investment and not a cost,” said the CSIS last October.
This week, Biden again pleaded for lawmakers to support funding for Ukraine.
“This bipartisan bill sends a clear message to Ukrainians and to our partners and to our allies around the world: America can be trusted, America can be relied upon, and America stands up for freedom. We stand strong for our allies. We never bow down to anyone, and certainly not to Vladimir Putin. So, let’s get on with this,” said Biden.