Donald Trump has warned Nato countries that they will not receive America's help in case of an attack by Russia if they fall behind on their payments.
Speaking at a rally in South Carolina on Saturday, he said he would “encourage” Vladimir Putin to attack Nato members who are failing to meet the alliance’s agreed defence spending target of 2 per cent of their GDP.
He also claimed he once told a leader, of whom he did not specify, that he would not protect a nation behind on its payments.
“I said: 'You didn't pay? You're delinquent?'... 'No I would not protect you, in fact I would encourage them to do whatever they want. You gotta pay.’”
POLL OF THE DAY: Is Trump right to warn Europe and not defend nations failing to fund Nato? YOUR VERDICT
GB News
In an exclusive poll for GB News membership readers, 77 per cent of the 305 voters said Trump was right to warn Europe and not defend nations, while just 20 per cent said Trump was wrong. Three per cent said they didn't know.
At least 19 of 30 member nations in the Nato bloc are spending less than that, data from Nato showed in 2023.
These nations include Germany, Norway and France.
However, most countries bordering Russia or Ukraine, are exceeding this guideline, with Poland in particular spending 3.9 per cent of its annual GDP on defence.
Nato members are obliged to defend any nation in the bloc which is attacked.
Donald Trump stated that if Nato members don't meet their obligations, he will encourage Putin to do whatever he wanted
Reuters
This core part of the alliance and Trump's latest comments have caused uproar within Europe and Nato as a whole.
Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the alliance, slammed the former President and likely Republican nominee.
He said: “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.
"I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the US will remain a strong and committed Nato ally.”
He said Nato remained “ready and able to defend all allies”.
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