NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has strongly criticized recent remarks by former President Donald Trump, who suggested he might not honor the alliance’s core principle of collective defense if he were re-elected.
The controversial stance of Trump, the GOP frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election, was announced at a campaign event on Saturday, February 10th.
It implies a readiness to allow Russia to act freely against NATO countries that fail to meet defense spending targets, effectively sidelining the United States’ support for these nations.
This stance represents a departure from longstanding U.S. policy on collective defense, enshrined in NATO’s Article 5, which asserts that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
Stoltenberg’s response underscored the peril such statements pose to both European and American military personnel.
He emphasized, “Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the U.S., and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk.”
The NATO chief remains hopeful that the U.S. will continue to be a steadfast ally, irrespective of the election’s outcome, and stressed the alliance’s commitment to a unified response to any aggression.
Trump’s remarks have triggered alarm among NATO members and partners, given the current geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict in Europe and escalating activities by China in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, which ignited a mass humanitarian crisis and plunged Europe into its largest conflict since World War II, NATO has stepped up its involvement in supporting Ukraine’s defense.
Russia’s aggression prompted both Sweden and Finland to pursue NATO membership, seeking the collective protection it offers.
Finland joined NATO in April 2023, effectively doubling the alliance’s border with Russia. While Sweden encountered delays in its accession process, particularly from Turkey, it has since made strides towards joining.
Trump’s presidency was marked by frequent criticism of NATO’s spending disparities and defense commitments, particularly with Japan and South Korea.
For years, the former president has consistently mischaracterized the funding structure of the bloc.
NATO sets a target for each member country to spend a minimum of 2% of gross domestic product on defense, but many countries fall short of this goal.
However, this figure is a guideline and not a mandatory requirement. Member countries have not been neglecting their contributions to NATO’s common budget, which is used to operate the organization.
As of 2022, seven countries were meeting the 2% target, an increase from three in 2014.
According to Trump, when he was president, “One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’”
He said, “You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?” [Then they said] ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you, adding, in fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.”
The reaction to Trump’s statements has been swift and critical, with key figures in the U.S. and Europe denouncing his stance as dangerous and aligned with Russian interests.
President Joe Biden in a statement said, “Trump’s admission that he intends to give Putin a greenlight for more war and violence, to continue his brutal assault against a free Ukraine, and to expand his aggression to the people of Poland and the Baltic States, are appalling and dangerous.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeled the comments as playing into Russia’s hands.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said on Monday, February 12th, that “NATO cannot be an ‘a la carte’ military alliance…depending on the humor of the president of the U.S.”
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, wrote on X, “Reckless statements on NATO’s security and Art 5 solidarity serve only Putin’s interest. They do not bring more security or peace to the world.”
