The leaders of Germany and Poland tore into former President Donald Trump on Monday for cracking down on Russia over NATO members failing to meet their obligations to the alliance – even as one pollster later said his country would start making dough.
“NATO’s pledge of protection is unconditional: all for one, one for all. Any relativization of mutual defense guarantees is irresponsible and dangerous,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement.
“No one is allowed to play or make deals with European security. We will strengthen NATO for European security,” he said without naming Trump directly, although it was clear who he was referring to.
Scholz later confirmed his country’s ongoing plan to dramatically increase its defense spending to meet its NATO obligations, which he mentioned last year.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also slammed Trump for his comments, even though his country had fulfilled its obligations.
“Donald Trump’s words should have an impact on those who always underestimate the increasingly real threats facing Europe,” Tusk said, according to Bloomberg.
“We need to improve our defense capabilities and the European part of NATO is very determined about this.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of the NATO alliance. REUTERS Donald Trump famously had a turbulent relationship with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. AP President Biden welcomed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the White House last week. Julia Nikhinson – Pool via CNP / MEGA
During a rally in Conway, SC, on Saturday, Trump aired his stale grievances with NATO, complaining about how most members don’t spend the required 2% of their gross domestic product on defense.
“I said, ‘Everybody’s going to pay.’ They said, ‘Well, if we don’t pay, are you still going to cover us?’ I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ They don’t believe the answer,” Trump claimed during the rally.
Trump later claimed that “one of the presidents of a major country” asked him if the US would back them from Russia if they “don’t pay.
“‘No, I’m not going to protect you,'” Trump recalled responding. “’In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever they want. You have to pay. You have to pay your bills.’ “
In 2022, only seven of the then 30 NATO member states will meet their 2% threshold, according to its annual report released last year. Finland has since joined the alliance, bringing membership up to 31.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
