Donald Trump has said he would “encourage” Russia to attack Nato allies that he considers not to have met their financial obligations, prompting a sharp rebuke from the White House and Nato’s secretary-general.
The Joe Biden White House described the remarks as “appalling and unhinged”, adding that they endangered American national security and global stability. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said any suggestion that allies would not defend each other undermined everyone’s security and put soldiers at increased risk.
Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, a Republican, said it was appropriate to demand payments but called Trump’s language “absolutely inappropriate”. Senator Marco Rubio downplayed the comments, portraying them as a story about past leverage that was not a policy statement. Conservative commentator Alyssa Farah Griffin said the remarks must have been music to Vladimir Putin’s ears.
The comments come as the Senate debates a $60bn Ukraine aid package, which faces opposition from Republicans who want border security provisions. European capitals have already begun adjusting expectations of US support in the event of a second Trump presidency.
