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.
In repeating a claim he has made previously to highlight his negotiation skills, Mr. Trump did not make clear that while there has been a spending-related dispute, it was not about an unpaid debt to NATO, but over European countries meeting their spending commitments to their own militaries. Some NATO members are spending below an unofficial commitment to spend 2 percent of their economic output on defense.
Mr. Trump’s 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 is likely to cause concern among NATO member states, which are already very nervous about the prospect of a Trump return.
NYT…hmmmmmm…the NYT…oh yeah, Trump supporters beat Officer Sicknick to death with a fire extinguisher. Why would anyone ever put any stock in anything else this lying source has to say?
“‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’… 'No I would not protect you, in fact I would encourage them to do whatever they want. You gotta pay”
There you go, he is saying that the US would not meet its treaty obligation. But we all know you will parse these words and split hairs over the meaning.
