NATO chief urges Trump to stop undermining alliance's security
Photo: Europa Press
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hinted that US presidential candidate Donald Trump's statements are damaging to the alliance's security but assured that all NATO countries are committed to the principle of collective defense.
Stoltenberg made the statement before the meeting of NATO defense ministers, Rubryka reports.
"The idea and focus of NATO is to prevent war… Any assumptions that we will not defend each other undermine our security," the publication reports.
Commenting on Donald Trump's recent controversial statements questioning the intention to defend other allies in the event of a Russian attack, Stoltenberg said, "NATO has been able to deter attacks on the Alliance for 75 years," and currently all active governments of NATO members underscore the inviolability of the principle of collective defense.
According to Stoltenberg, the main strength of the alliance is the principle of deterrence, which is based on the belief that adversaries are confident in NATO's joint response in the event of an attack on any member.
Abandoning this principle undermines the strength of the Alliance.
"My message (to Trump) is that we must not undermine our deterrence system. We have no doubt about our readiness to defend allies," Stoltenberg summarized.
Former US President Donald Trump revealed how he threatened NATO countries, saying he would encourage Russia to attack them if they did not contribute to the Alliance.
This statement caused outrage in the White House and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and the Polish government also reacted to the statement by the former US leader.
On February 14, the 19th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is planned at the Alliance headquarters. The Ukraine-NATO Council meeting at the defense ministers' level will take place on February 15.
Trump's controversial statement
Speaking at a rally in South Carolina, Trump, who is running for president of the United States, recounted how "one of the presidents of a great country" asked him if the US, as before, would defend them from Russian invasion if they did not contribute to NATO.
"No, I wouldn't defend you. In fact, I would encourage them (the Russians, – Ed.) to do whatever they want. You have to pay. You have to pay the bills," Trump quoted his response.
The point is that Trump misunderstands the NATO funding system. Member countries strive to spend at least 2% of GDP on military spending, and most countries do not meet this target. However, 2% is considered only a guideline, and there are no mandatory "bills" that NATO members must pay.
