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Trump says he’d ‘encourage’ Russia to attack NATO allies who don’t pay their bills – NPR

Posted: February 11, 2024 at 3:53 am

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a Get Out The Vote rally at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a Get Out The Vote rally at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.

NEW YORK Republican front-runner Donald Trump said Saturday that, as president, he warned NATO allies that he "would encourage" Russia "to do whatever the hell they want" to countries that are "delinquent" as he ramped up his attacks on foreign aid and longstanding international alliances.

Speaking at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, Trump recounted a story he has told before about an unidentified NATO member who confronted him over his threat not to defend members who fail to meet the trans-Atlantic alliance's defense spending targets.

But this time, Trump went further, saying had told the member that he would, in fact, "encourage" Russia to do as it wishes in that case.

"'You didn't pay? You're delinquent?'" Trump recounted saying. "'No I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.'"

NATO allies agreed in 2014, after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, to halt the spending cuts they had made after the Cold War and move toward spending 2% of their GDPs on defense by 2024.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates responded, saying that: "Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged and it endangers American national security, global stability, and our economy at home."

Trump's comments come as Ukraine remains mired in its efforts to stave off Russia's 2022 invasion and as Republicans in Congress have become increasingly skeptical of providing additional aid money to the country as it struggles with stalled counteroffensives and weapons shortfalls.

They also come as Trump and his team are increasingly confident he will lock up the nomination in the coming weeks following commanding victories in the first votes of the 2024 Republican nominating calendar.

Earlier Saturday, Trump called for the end of foreign aid "WITHOUT "STRINGS" ATTACHED," arguing that the U.S. should dramatically curtail the way it provides money.

"FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, ARE YOU LISTENING U.S. SENATE(?), NO MONEY IN THE FORM OF FOREIGN AID SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ANY COUNTRY UNLESS IT IS DONE AS A LOAN, NOT JUST A GIVEAWAY," Trump wrote on his social media network in all-caps letters.

Trump went on to say the money could be loaned "ON EXTRAORDINARILY GOOD TERMS," with no interest and no date for repayment. But he said that, "IF THE COUNTRY WE ARE HELPING EVER TURNS AGAINST US, OR STRIKES IT RICH SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE, THE LOAN WILL BE PAID OFF AND THE MONEY RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES."

During his 2016 campaign, Trump alarmed Western allies by warning that the United States, under his leadership, might abandon its NATO treaty commitments and only come to the defense of countries that meet the alliance's guidelines by committing 2 percent of their gross domestic products to military spending.

Trump, as president, eventually endorsed NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause, which states that an armed attack against one or more of its members shall be considered an attack against all members. But he often depicted NATO allies as leeches on the U.S. military and openly questioned the value of the military alliance that has defined American foreign policy for decades.

As of 2022, NATO reported that seven of what are now 31 NATO member countries were meeting that obligation up from three in 2014. Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine has spurred additional military spending by some NATO members.

Trump has often tried to take credit for that increase, and bragged again Saturday that, as a results of his threats, "hundreds of billions of dollars came into NATO" even though countries do not pay NATO directly.

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Trump says he'd 'encourage' Russia to attack NATO allies who don't pay their bills - NPR

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Trump suggests he’d disregard NATO treaty, urge Russian attacks on allies – The Washington Post

Posted: at 3:53 am

CONWAY, S.C. Former president Donald Trump ramped up his attacks on NATO on Saturday, claiming he suggested to a foreign leader that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to member countries he views as not spending enough on their own defense.

One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, Well, sir, if we dont pay and were attacked by Russia, will you protect us?, Trump said during a rally at Coastal Carolina University. I said, You didnt pay. Youre delinquent. He said, Yes, lets say that happened. No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.

Trumps remarks come as the GOP is debating whether to provide additional foreign aid to Ukraine, which is fighting a war with Russia after being invaded by Moscow in 2022. The Senate is considering legislation that would give $60 billion to Ukraine. House Republicans, however, have echoed Trumps skepticism about doing so.

Trump has long been a fierce critic of U.S. participation in the alliance, frequently hammering European countries on their share of defense spending, and appeared to be referring to indirect funding as part of participation in the alliance.

Since 2006, each NATO member has had a guideline of spending at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense spending by 2024. NATO countries were already increasing their funding substantially before Trumps presidency, following Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. More than half have met or come close to that goal as of 2023, and many member countries have increased their spending in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Trump has previously suggested that he threatened not to protect NATO allies from a Russian attack. During a 2022 event at the Heritage Foundation, the former president recounted a meeting where he told fellow foreign leaders that he may not follow NATOs Article 5 collective defense clause if other countries did not spend more for their own defense.

The anecdote appears to be a reference to NATOs 2018 summit, in which leaders suggested that Trumps threats were not as explicit, as The Washington Post previously reported. But Saturdays remarks were an escalation from those previous statements.

Under Article 5, if a NATO ally is attacked, other member countries of NATO consider it an armed attack against all members and will take the actions it deems necessary to assist the Ally attacked. Since NATOs founding in 1949, the clause has been invoked only once: On Sept. 12, 2001, after the terrorist attacks in the United States the day before.

Several NATO partnership experts described Trumps understanding of the financial obligations of NATO member countries as inaccurate, and argued that his opposition to collective security as a member nation is misplaced.

NATO isnt a pay to play set up, as Trump seems to think. Its an Alliance that is first and foremost about US national security interests to prevent another world war originating in Europe, said Alina Polyakova, president and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis, in an email to The Post. The US investment in NATO is worth every dollar - the only time that the article 5 collective defense clause was initiated was in response to 9/11. Our Allies came to our aid then, and it would be shameful and misguided to not do the same.

In May 2017, Trump initially did not affirm the United States commitment to Article 5, but then reversed course two weeks later. Trump broadly has expressed skepticism about NATO. His campaign website states: we have to finish the process we began under my Administration of fundamentally reevaluating NATOs purpose and NATOs mission.

The New York Times reported in 2019 that Trump discussed withdrawing from NATO. While he was in office, Trump repeatedly tried to claim credit for making NATO countries pay more, claiming that hundreds of billions of dollars came to NATO as a result of his complaints about other countries as delinquent members.

Daniel Fried, a former assistant secretary of state for European affairs and fellow at the Atlantic Council, said of Trump: He seems to prefer a world based on pure power where other countries, where the [U.S.] intimidates or threatens other countries. The trouble with that is when we need them those other countries wont be there.

Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged and it endangers American national security, global stability, and our economy at home, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement.

Trump has also often suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine, had he remained in office.

Saturdays speech marked Trumps first visit to South Carolina this year, where he will face former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley in the Feb. 24 primary. Trump is currently leading the polls in South Carolina and has the backing of several key officials in the state, including Gov. Henry McMaster. A recent Washington Post-Monmouth University poll found Trump had 58 percent support among potential Republican primary voters, while Haley had 32 percent.

In a sign of Trumps focus on the general election, he did not devote as much time to attacking Haley. Yet at one point in the speech, he attacked Haleys husband, a service member who is currently deployed overseas.

Wheres her husband? Oh hes away Trump said. Hes gone. He knew, he knew.

Haley responded to Trumps attack on her husband at an evening rally in Gilbert, S.C., defending his service and again challenging Trump to debate.

Ill say this: Donald, if you have something to say, dont say it behind my back. Get on a debate stage and say it to my face, Haley said. If you mock the service of a combat veteran, you dont deserve a drivers license, let alone to be president of the United States.

Haley continued to hammer Trump at her events throughout the state on Saturday. Her staff passed out mock mental competency tests to reporters, challenging both Trump and Biden to take one, and attendees sported stickers featuring a drawing of a chicken with Trump-like features reading Trump is too chicken to debate. A mobile billboard circling Trumps event read grumpy old men.

Dylan Wells contributed to this report.

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Trump suggests he'd disregard NATO treaty, urge Russian attacks on allies - The Washington Post

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‘You got to pay!’: Trump threatens to ‘encourage’ Russia to attack NATO allies behind on payments – FRANCE 24 English

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'You got to pay!': Trump threatens to 'encourage' Russia to attack NATO allies behind on payments  FRANCE 24 English

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Trump says Russia can do what it wants to Nato allies who pay too little – Financial Times

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Trump says Russia can do what it wants to Nato allies who pay too little  Financial Times

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Trump says Russia can do what it wants to Nato allies who pay too little - Financial Times

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White House calls Trump comments on NATO appalling and unhinged – The Hill

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White House calls Trump comments on NATO appalling and unhinged  The Hill

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White House calls Trump comments on NATO appalling and unhinged - The Hill

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Trump says Russia could do ‘whatever the hell they want’ to NATO countries that don’t pay their share – Yahoo News

Posted: at 3:52 am

Former President Donald Trump said Saturday he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want if it attacked a NATO country that didn't pay enough for defense, referencing a conversation from his presidency.

Speaking to supporters in South Carolina, Trump recounted an exchange with the president of a big country who asked whether they would be protected if Russia attacked. Trump said he told the leader that the U.S. government would not protect the bloc if they didnt pay their fair share in defense spending.

No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills, Trump said.

Trump made the remark during a rally on the campus of Costal Carolina University. It comes as Russia continues its war in Ukraine, and after some North Atlantic Treaty Organization members have expressed concerns that Russia might look to expand into other nations.

The alliance was formed in 1949 to provide collective defense against the Soviet Union. A hallmark of the agreement is that an attack on one ally is an attack on all.

Trump has long groused about NATO and sparred with heads of member states, reportedly threatening to pull the United States out of the bloc over demands that member nations hit the target of spending 2% of their gross domestic product on defense.

A report released last year showed only 11 of the then-30 member nations were spending 2% of their GDP or more on defense. Finland was granted NATO membership status last year, having applied following concerns over bordering Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Since coming into office, President Joe Biden has sought to reassure NATO of the U.S. commitment to the group, a stark contrast to his Republican predecessor.

Last month, Biden signed an $886 billion defense bill that bars a president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO, which could thwart Trump's 2024 campaign pledge to fundamentally reevaluate NATOs purpose and NATOs mission.

Asked about Trump's most recent comments about NATO, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said, Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged and it endangers American national security, global stability and our economy at home," Reuters reported.

Besides the NATO comment, Trump on Saturday also boasted about the recent failure to pass a bipartisan border deal.

We crushed crooked Joe Bidens disastrous border deal. Mike Johnson did a very good job, Trump said, referencing the Republican House leader and his opposition to the bill.

The failure to pass the border bill came after reports that Trump wanted his party to reject the legislation in hopes that he could use the crisis at the southern border as a political tool to win reelection in November.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com

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Trump says Russia could do 'whatever the hell they want' to NATO countries that don't pay their share - Yahoo News

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Trump Says He Gave NATO Allies Warning: Pay In or He’d Urge Russian Aggression – The New York Times

Posted: at 3:52 am

Former President Donald J. Trump said on Saturday that, while president, he told the leaders of NATO countries that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to countries that had not paid the money they owed to the military alliance.

Mr. Trump did not make clear whether he ever intended to follow through on such a threat or what that would mean for the alliance, but his comment at a campaign event in South Carolina a variation of one he has made before to highlight his negotiation skills is likely to cause concern among NATO member states, which are already very nervous about the prospect of a Trump return.

Mr. Trumps suggestion that he would encourage Russian aggression against allies of the United States for any reason comes as Republicans in Congress have pushed back against more aid for Ukraine in its war against Russia, and as European officials have expressed concerns over possible Russian aggression on NATOs Eastern side.

Russias president, Vladimir Putin, dismissed those warnings as threat mongering" in an interview with Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host, that aired on Thursday. We have no interest in Poland, Latvia or anywhere else, Mr. Putin said.

But he has also called on the United States to make an agreement to end the war in Ukraine by ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia, comments that were seen by some as an appeal to American conservatives to block further involvement in the war.

Some European officials and foreign policy experts have said they are concerned that Russia could invade a NATO nation after its war with Ukraine concludes, fears that they say are heightened by the possibility of Mr. Trump returning to the presidency.

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Trump Says He Gave NATO Allies Warning: Pay In or He'd Urge Russian Aggression - The New York Times

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White House says Trump comments on refusing to back NATO allies ‘unhinged’ – The Times of Israel

Posted: at 3:52 am

The White House says comments made by former US President Donald Trump about not protecting NATO allies from a potential invasion by Russia were appalling and unhinged.

Trump, appearing to recount a meeting with NATO leaders, told a political rally in South Carolina on Saturday, One of the presidents of a big country stood up, said: Well sir if we dont pay, and were attacked by Russia will you protect us?'

I said: you didnt pay? Youre delinquent? He said: Yes, lets say that happened. No I would not protect you, in fact I would encourage them to do whatever they want. You gotta pay.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, asked about Trumps comments, says, Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged and it endangers American national security, global stability and our economy at home.

Trump told the story in the context of his role in helping torpedo congressional legislation that would have sent military aid to Ukraine and Israel.

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White House says Trump comments on refusing to back NATO allies 'unhinged' - The Times of Israel

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NATO allies warn Hungary not to hold up Sweden’s membership as US patience wears thin – The Associated Press

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NATO allies warn Hungary not to hold up Sweden's membership as US patience wears thin  The Associated Press

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Trump comments on Russia, NATO ‘appalling and unhinged’ -White House – Yahoo News Canada

Posted: at 3:52 am

By Andrea Shalal

WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) -The White House on Saturday rejected comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump about not protecting NATO allies from a potential Russian invasion as "appalling and unhinged."

Trump, appearing to recount a meeting with NATO leaders during a political rally in South Carolina on Saturday, quoted the president of "a big country" that he did not name as asking, "Well sir if we don't pay, and we're attacked by Russia - will you protect us?"

"I said: 'You didn't pay? You're delinquent?' He said: 'Yes, let's say that happened.' No I would not protect you. In fact I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay."

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, asked about Trump's comments, said, "Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged - and it endangers American national security, global stability and our economy at home."

The NATO treaty contains a provision that guarantees mutual defense of member states if one is attacked.

Trump, frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, was a fierce critic of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization when he was president, repeatedly threatening to pull out of the alliance. He cut defense funding to NATO and frequently complained that the United States was paying more than its fair share.

Bates said President Joe Biden, a Democrat seeking reelection in the November election, had restored U.S. alliances after taking office in 2021, ensuring that NATO was now "the largest and most vital it has ever been."

"Rather than calling for wars and promoting deranged chaos, President Biden will continue to bolster American leadership and stand up for our national security interests not against them, he said in a statement issued late Saturday.

With Trump leading Biden in some polls, European allies worry a Trump victory in November could jeopardize the U.S. commitment to the alliance, but NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg last month said he did not think a second Trump presidency would jeopardize U.S. membership.

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Stoltenberg, who has been pushing member states to boost defense spending, said European allies were increasing their military contributions and "moving in the right direction."

Trump has continued to hammer the transatlantic alliance, telling a campaign rally last month that he did not believe NATO countries would support the United States if it were attacked.

On Russia's war in Ukraine, Trump has called for de-escalation and complained about the billions spent so far, although he has put forward few tangible policy proposals.

Since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022, U.S. aid to Ukraine has totaled around $75 billion, Stoltenberg said, while other NATO members and partner states combined have provided more than $100 billion.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Wilmington; Additional reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Tom Hogue and William Mallard)

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Trump comments on Russia, NATO 'appalling and unhinged' -White House - Yahoo News Canada

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