WASHINGTON, 16 Feb: Former President Donald Trump has once again reiterated that he will not protect European countries if they do not pay their financial obligations.
This is the second time Trump has vowed to undermine NATO and instead urge Russian President Vladamir Putin to attack NATO countries.
Trump, during a rally in South Carolina on Wednesday, said he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to any NATO member country that doesn’t fulfil its financial obligations.
Biden shocked by previous comments
Last week, Trump caused outrage when he said he would abandon NATO member countries if they did not pay their obligations.
US President Joe Biden expressed concern over his remarks and said “It’s un-American. When America gives its word it means something, so when we make a commitment, we keep it”
“Can you imagine a former president of the United States saying that? The whole world heard it. The worst thing is, he means it. No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator”, Biden said
NATO countries defense expenditure
NATO countries are obliged to pay at least 2% of GDP on defense each year.
In 2014, NATO Heads of State and Government agreed to commit 2% of their GDP to defense spending, to help ensure the Alliance’s continued military readiness.
Defense spending has steadily increased over the past years, as per NATO estimates.
