Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has condemned Donald Trump's suggestion that the US would not protect allies failing to meet defence spending targets, saying it 'undermines all of our security' and puts troops at greater risk. Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, claimed at a rally that he would encourage Russia to attack any Nato member not spending 2% of GDP on defence.
Stoltenberg stressed that Nato remains 'ready and able' to defend its members, but warned that any suggestion allies will not defend each other 'undermines all of our security'. He added that such remarks 'put American and European soldiers at increased risk'. President Joe Biden called Trump's comments 'appalling and dangerous', accusing him of giving Putin 'a green light for more war and violence'.
According to Nato's 2023 figures, 19 of 30 member nations spend below the 2% target, including Germany, Norway, and France. However, countries bordering Russia or Ukraine, such as Poland (3.9%), Romania, Hungary, Finland, and the Baltic states, exceed the guideline. Trump has long criticised Nato as an excessive financial burden on the US.
Defence expert Dr Patrick Bury noted that while anger over European under-spending is valid, Trump's comments go 'too far'. He warned that Russia's war economy now outpaces European military spending, and a potential split in Nato over Ukraine or Article Five triggers remains a concern. Trump has also criticised US aid to Ukraine, which has totalled over $44bn since the 2022 invasion.
