Former US President Donald Trump faced criticism from top Western officials on Sunday after suggesting that the United States might not defend NATO allies that fail to meet defense spending targets against a potential Russian invasion.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern, stating that any notion of allies not defending each other undermines overall security, putting American and European soldiers at risk. Stoltenberg asserted that any attack on NATO would be met with a united and forceful response.
Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz reinforced the commitment to NATO’s motto “one for all, all for one,” emphasizing that undermining allied countries weakens the entire alliance.
Germany’s foreign ministry shared a message on social media, emphasizing unity with the hashtag #StrongerTogether. European Union Council President Charles Michel criticized Trump’s statements, stating that such reckless remarks on NATO’s security and Article 5 solidarity serve Putin’s interests.
Article 5 of the NATO treaty stipulates that an armed attack against any alliance member will be considered an attack against all, triggering collective self-defense.
Trump, during a political rally in South Carolina, recounted a meeting with NATO leaders and quoted an unnamed president of “a big country” asking if the US would protect them if they didn’t pay. Trump responded that he would not protect them and would encourage Russia to do as they please unless they paid.
EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton dismissed Trump’s comments, highlighting potential issues with his memory and referring to a conversation in 2020 with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen.
Breton emphasized that security decisions should not depend on US presidential elections, and EU leaders understand the need to bolster the bloc’s military spending and capabilities.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates condemned Trump’s remarks, describing them as “appalling and unhinged,” and warning that they endanger American national security, global stability, and the domestic economy.
NATO’s goal is for member countries to spend at least two percent of their gross domestic product on defense. However, NATO estimates reveal that only 11 members are meeting this spending threshold.
