<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/11/nato-chief-jens-stoltenberg-promises-forceful-response-to-attack-as-trump-remarks-dismissed>
"The Nato chief, Jens Stoltenberg, has said any attack on the western military
alliance would be met with a “united and forceful response”, after Donald Trump
invited Russia to attack member countries that he perceived as not meeting
their financial obligations.
Stoltenberg said in a statement: “Any suggestion that allies will not defend
each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts
American and European soldiers at increased risk. I expect that regardless of
who wins the presidential election, the US will remain a strong and committed
Nato ally.”
He said Nato remained “ready and able to defend all allies”.
Trump told a campaign rally in South Carolina on Saturday night that he would
“encourage” Russia to attack any of the US’s Nato allies that he felt were not
paying their fair share.
The White House described the remarks as “appalling and unhinged”.
The former president has voiced misgivings about aid to Ukraine as it defends
itself from the invasion launched by Russia in February 2022 – as well as to
the existence of Nato, the 31-nation alliance that the US has committed to
defending when necessary.
On Saturday, Trump claimed that during an unspecified Nato meeting he had told
a fellow head of state that the US under his leadership would not defend any
countries who were “delinquent”.
“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said: ‘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?’” said Trump, adding: “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.”
The Polish defence minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, wrote on X: “Nato’s
motto ‘one for all, all for one’ is a concrete commitment.”
He added: “Undermining the credibility of allied countries means weakening the
entire Nato. No election campaign is an excuse for playing with the security of
the alliance.”
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, wrote on X that
“reckless statements” on Nato’s security and solidarity only served the
interests of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. “They do not bring more
security or peace to the world,” Michel said. “On the contrary, they
re-emphasise the need for the EU to urgently further develop its strategic
autonomy and invest in its defence. And to keep our alliance strong.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
