Former US President Donald Trump says he would encourage Russia to attack any NATO countries that don’t pay their bills as part of the NATO alliance.
Trump said the leader of a NATO country asked what would happen if they don’t pay their bills, and if the US would protect them from an attack by Russia.
Trump said at a rally on the weekend, “No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay.”
Hear Trump’s rally speech in the latest episode of The Briefing.
NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg said any suggestion that “allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security”, putting soldiers from NATO countries at risk.
A White House spokesman said the former president was “encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes.”
This is the first time a president of the United States has suggested he would incite an enemy to attack American allies.
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