NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has hit back against comments made by former US President Donald Trump saying the alliance would not abide by the collective defense clause to defend every member.
Trump, who is running for re-election in November, said during a campaign event Saturday he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to any NATO member that that doesn’t meet spending guidelines and would not offer such a country US protection.
Stoltenberg responded on Sunday saying the comments put European and American soldiers at an increased risk.
“Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk,” he said.
“I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election the US will remain a strong and committed NATO Ally,” he said. He also stressed that any attack on a NATO country would be “met with a united and forceful response.”
During his time in office, Trump repeatedly criticized members for failing to spend 2 % of their GDP on defense.
However, the latest comments, which indicate he does not intend to defend NATO allies from Russian attack if he is elected, come amid different circumstances compared to his time in office.
NATO is now heavily involved in supporting Ukraine’s defense following Russia’s 2022 invasion, which has plunged Europe into its largest conflict since the Second World War. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also been accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court.
The US and its allies have supported Ukraine with weapons, training and economic support, though they have not sent troops to Ukraine, which is not a NATO member.
The conflict has raised concerns Putin may have further expansionist ambitions, which he denies, or that a NATO country may become directly involved.
Since Russia’s invasion, Sweden and Finland sought NATO membership. Finland joined in 2023.
The White House on Saturday blasted Trump’s comments as “appalling and unhinged.”
