Trump wants 5% Nato defence spending target, Europe told US president-elect’s closest foreign policy aides indicate he will continue arming Ukraine while pursuing end to war

The Financial Times ^ | 12/20/2024 | Lucy Fisher

[thegagline]

Donald Trump’s team has told European officials that the incoming US president will demand Nato member states increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP, but plans to continue supplying military aid to Ukraine.

The US president-elect’s closest foreign policy aides shared his intentions in discussions with senior European officials this month, according to people familiar with the talks, as he firms up his policies towards Europe and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

During his White House campaign, Trump vowed to cut off aid to Ukraine, force Kyiv into immediate peace talks, and leave Nato allies undefended if they failed to spend enough on defence — spooking European capitals.

But in a boost for allies deeply concerned over their ability to support and protect Ukraine without Washington’s backing, Trump now intends to maintain US military supplies to Kyiv after his inauguration, according to three other people briefed on the discussions with western officials.

At the same time Trump is to demand Nato more than double its 2 per cent spending target — which only 23 of the alliance’s 32 members currently meet — to 5 per cent, two people briefed on the conversations said. ***

While Trump still believes Ukraine should never be given membership of Nato, and wants an immediate end to the conflict, the president-elect believed that supplying weapons to Kyiv after a ceasefire would ensure a “peace through strength” outcome, they added.

After 24 hours of meetings with Nato and EU leaders in Brussels this week, Zelenskyy said on Thursday that European pledges to defend Ukraine would “not be sufficient” without US involvement. ***

[thegagline]

Black Sabbath, War Pigs

In the fields, the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds
Oh lord, yeah!

Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor, yeah

[BobL]

“according to people familiar with the talks”

No names. This is a TRIAL BALLOON as we’ve seen time and time again, put out by the Deep State. They want to see the public reaction to this suggestion and if it’s not too much, ONLY THEN will they try to offer it to Trump’s people.

[marktwain]

Pretty much what I expected. President Trump is a realist.

He practices real-politic.

[struggle]

>US president-elect’s closest foreign policy aides

This might be a smoke screen. The hawks are saying this. Trump is not.

[Right_Wing_Madman]

No names. This is a TRIAL BALLOON as we’ve seen time and time again, put out by the Deep State.

box in
phrasal verb:

to surround (someone or something) and make movement difficult

[rxh4n1]

“Zelenskyy said on Thursday that European pledges to defend Ukraine would “not be sufficient” without US involvement.”

We’ve known he wants us in it all along. Sorry, the Yanks aren’t coming this time. Better make peace while Trump is favorably disposed towards you.

[Stingray51]

How about MAGA pops that trial balloon. The USA has given enough.

[wildcard_redneck]

If Trump fails to deliver one of his biggest campaign promises then he is a stupid %#@$.

[SaxxonWoods]

I’m ignoring all talking and watching what actions are taken.

[AAABEST]

He’s ending the war on “day one” according to him.

Either the article or Trump lies.

We’ll know in 30 days.

[rrrod]

Yep.

[Eccl 10:2]

Just for reference, The US GDP in 2023 was $27 trillion. US defense spending in 2023 was $916 billion. That’s about 3.4%.

So I suspect Trump’s ask of 5% is an opening negotiating number.

[CaliGangsta]

Ukraine is Europe’s problem, Trump has been clear about this. It’s Europe’s responsibility to protect their own, if they won’t spend a meager 5% of GDP to protect their own then don’t expect America to do it.

[Always A Marine]

“according to people familiar with the talks”

No names. This is a TRIAL BALLOON as we’ve seen time and time again, put out by the Deep State. They want to see the public reaction to this suggestion and if it’s not too much, ONLY THEN will they try to offer it to Trump’s people.

Exactly. There are two hints for observant readers:
1. Unnamed "sources" for the narrative; and
2. United Kingdom media. Conquered by its empire, once-Great Britain has devolved into a mongrelized, hollow, and dysfunctional society with no sense of national identity. No longer a military power, Albion's only effective skills are propaganda and espionage. How sad to witness our mother country destroy itself.

[nathanbedford]

No one is more conversant with the art of the deal than Trump so he knows he must negotiate with Putin from a position of strength, hence the buildup.

The risk, however, is plain in history when Nixon failed to achieve negotiation success with bombing of North Vietnam.

Russia, clearly, is not as committed as was North Vietnam to the ultimate pursuit of victory at virtually any cost.

The demand for 5% from NATO members is an opening demand in the negotiation process with these allies.

It is essential that the support for Ukraine not include long-range weapons that could spin out of control into nuclear war.

It will be interesting to see what carrots Trump offers up to Putin mirroring the increased support for Ukraine.

[Petrosius]

It will be interesting to see what carrots Trump offers up to Putin mirroring the increased support for Ukraine.

For a start: lifting of sanctions and the resumption of gas sales.

[Glad2bnuts]

I agree, it is time to bring our troops home. We don’t need multiple hundreds of bases, in every country on Earth. When you live by the sword, you will die by the sword. We need to get back to “walking softly, and carrying a big stick”. We CANNOT afford to continue. If that means a radical way forward, let’s get on with it.

[Owen]

Folks do not have the correct read on this and many other Trump leaks of late.

THEY TRIED TO KILL HIM. THEY WILL AGAIN.

He is making noises to defuse rage. To suggest co-opt. To imply more of the same and no change from him.

This was talked about literally months ago. He has to appear to be no threat or he will be killed before taking office.

Patience.

[Bernard]

Having Ukraine and Turkey in The NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION really stretches the logic of that name. It's like having Oregon and Rutgers in the same college football conference.

Maybe NATO can change its name to something that better describes it; how does "Military-Industrial Complex Spending Organization" sound? MISCO

[adorno]

If Trump fails to deliver one of his biggest campaign promises then he is a stupid %#@$.

Trump must be a neocon and/or a Zeeper. ;)

When it comes to foreign policy and wars, promises are very hard to keep.

I've been saying all along that, Trump can promise to end the war and stop military aid to Ukraine, but that realistically, he couldn't and wouldn't.

The presidency is upon him, and the campaign is behind him, and so are the campaign promises.

BTW, what was that nasty word you called Trump at the end of your comment? I couldn't decipher it. ;)