Posted on 02/11/2024 5:26:44 PM PST by RandFan
Donald Trump's suggestion the US would not protect Nato allies failing to spend enough on defence "undermines all of our security", the Western military alliance's chief has said.
Jens Stoltenberg also suggested it put US and European troops at greater risk.
The Republican said he had told allies he would "encourage" Russia to attack any Nato member that failed to meet the alliance's target of 2% of their GDP.
Members of Nato commit to defend any nation in the bloc that gets attacked.
President Joe Biden called Mr Trump's comments "appalling and dangerous", suggesting his predecessor intended to give Russian President Vladimir Putin "a green light for more war and violence".
Addressing crowds during a rally in South Carolina on Saturday, Mr Trump said he had made his comments about Russia during a previous meeting of leaders of Nato countries.
The former president recalled that the leader of a "big country" had presented a hypothetical situation in which he was not meeting his financial obligations within Nato and had come under attack from Moscow.
He said the leader had asked if the US would come to his country's aid in that scenario, which prompted him to issue a rebuke.
"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.'"
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
DS’s gotta DS.
Probably NATO has done it’s duty, and can now retire.
Easy remedy, spend the 2%
Jens Stoltenberg will be trying to kiss Trump’s ass in a year.
They’re a fragile lot, aren’t they?
Paying your debts makes you more secure.
Whatever is necessary to make skinflint Europeans pay their fair share is fine with me.
Here in the USA, Congress would throw you in prison for not paying what it thinks is your fair share.
Pass the stinkin’ Senate border bill or I have to turn even more scumbag invaders loose on you.
Pass the stinkin’ Senate border bill or I’ll have to turn even more scumbag invaders loose on you.
I think the response should be “we will pay our dues and keep committnents and there will be no problems.”
“Jens Stoltenberg also suggested it put US and European troops at greater risk.”
Sorry Jen, you gals should have STAYED IN YOUR LANE and not try interfering in the US Election by attacking Trump, as anyone with a brain knows that Trump HITS BACK.
Hey Germany et al: What don’t you get about treatys and reciprocity? It’s like a contract.
Makes you wonder if various US politicians and permanent bureaucrats shook them down/took bribes in exchange for ignoring their black-letter treaty obligations.
An honest sheriff comes in and they get butthurt but they don’t say why they feel outraged publically.
nato and the un can kiss off
Tell this pos to pay his bills and stay the F out of our politics.
You all know I support NATO but if these scumbags inflict more democrats on us I might let Russia have at them.
We’re the ones being invaded.
Trump made this comment back in 2017. He basically told NATO members, “Pay your agreed-upon amounts for your own defense (minimum 2% of GDP), or don’t expect the US to bail you out.”
Most of NATO had been skating for years on that, and Trump told them to put up and honor their commitments. It was the right thing for Trump to do.
With 1 Trump tweet all the focus that was on Biden’s mental issues is now being trained on Trump and his lack of self control. Now the left can and will argue that Trump is a bigger security risk than Biden and his obvious dementia.
It’s amazing the power Trump has to change the course of the conversation. Sadly it’s, again, in the wrong direction.
“Your security”? Oh, you mean that ratty old blanket in the corner? That’s about the level of security you provide for the millions invested in you. Sod off!
Wait until Trump starts taking our forces out of Germany and redeploys to our border. Ha! You ain’t seen nuthin yet.
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