NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned on Sunday of the possible consequences of former US President Donald Trump's statements regarding NATO.
“Any suggestion that allies will no longer defend each other undermines the security of all of us, including the security of the United States, and exposes American and European soldiers to increased risks,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.
Stoltenberg added: “I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the United States will remain a strong and committed ally in NATO.”
The statement by the Secretary-General of NATO came after former US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of stopping defense of NATO countries whose financial contributions are insufficient.
Trump also stated in a speech he delivered in the US state of South Carolina on Saturday evening that – if he is re-elected as President of the United States – Russia can “do whatever it wants” with NATO member states that do not contribute sufficiently.
Trump regularly attacks NATO allies who do not contribute enough to the alliance. During the meeting in South Carolina, Trump cited a conversation with the head of a NATO country, without mentioning the name.
All NATO member states must officially invest 2% of their GDP in defence. However, this amount has not been achieved by many countries, including Belgium.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates responded forcefully to Trump's comments on Saturday evening, saying: “Encouraging the invasion of our closest allies by murderous regimes is abhorrent and senseless.”
