Nato chief says Donald Trump comments ‘undermine all of our security’

The chief of NATO has criticised Donald Trump’s suggestion that the US wouldn’t protect NATO allies who don’t spend enough on defence, stating it undermines security and puts troops at risk.

Jens Stoltenberg emphasised that such remarks could endanger US and European troops.

Trump indicated he would “encourage” Russia to attack any NATO member not meeting the alliance’s 2% GDP defence spending target.

NATO members pledge to defend any attacked nation within the bloc.

President Joe Biden condemned Trump’s remarks as “appalling and dangerous,” suggesting they could signal approval for further aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump made these comments during a rally in South Carolina, recalling a hypothetical scenario discussed at a NATO leaders’ meeting where a leader of a “big country” faced an attack from Moscow due to NATO financial obligations not being met.

He rebuked the idea of US aid in such a scenario.