President Donald Trump warned on Thursday NATO bondmen that if they do not pay, the US will not be defending if they are attacked.
Since his first term, the president has urged other members of the Alliance to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense.
Now he threatens to change American policy when it comes to Article five of NATO – which states that if a member is attacked, all countries in the Alliance must respond – if they don't become pony.
“If they don't pay, I'll not defend them,” said the president of reporters in the Oval Office.
“They have money,” he added. “They should pay more.
Such a change would send shock waves through Europe and undermine the head of the alliance.
The Cornerstone article Five has made the Alliance a powerful tool to scare against its members outside of aggression. An important policy change by Trump could weaken the effectiveness of NATO.
And THat Cornerstone is the main reason that Ukraine has been denied membership – to prevent the other members from being drawn in his war with Russia.
President Donald Trump is considering a shocking change in the US policy compared to NATO
NATO was formed during the Cold War in the midst of concern about Russian aggression.
The decisions are made by consensus, but the military power of the United States makes the most powerful country in the Alliance, with its nuclear arsenal seen as the ultimate safety guarantee.
Trump is also considering limiting joint American military exercises to NATO members who spend the fixed percentage of their GDPs on defense.
The National Security Council said about the report: “President Trump is dedicated to NATO and article V.”
Trump increased the idea for the first time during the presidential campaign of 2024.
During a meeting in South Carolina in February, Trump told what he called a conversation With the 'president of a large country'.
“Well, sir, if we don't pay, and we're attacked by Russia – you protect us?” Trump quoted the nameless leader if asked him.
“I said:” You didn't pay? Are you delinquent? “He said,” Yes, let's say that happened. ” No, I wouldn't protect you. In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do what they want. You have to pay, “said Trump.
In his first term as president, Trump repeatedly with other leaders about their levels of defense expenditure; Above he debates with the then German Chancellor Angela Merkel
The flags of the NATO -alliance
Trump repeatedly criticized NATO members because they have achieved the current goal to spend 2% of their GDP on defense.
And he fought with them to increase their share, and claims that there is too much trouble with the US
NATO says that 23 out of 32 members have reached the 2%. Most members are European countries, plus the United States and Canada.
Poland is the best spender on the defense, which allocates 4.1% of GDP. Estonia is in second place at 3.4% with the US in third place at 3.4%.
The annual budget of NATO is $ 4.1 billion with a cost distribution agreement to pay for its activities.
The three largest contributors to the budget are the US and Germany at 16% and the UK with 11%.
During the presidential campaign, Trump said he would keep the US in NATO as long as other countries paid their reasonable share.
“The United States must pay its fair share, not everyone's fair share,” Trump said in March 2024.
Trump flirted with the idea of ​​pulling NATO several times during his first term, but eventually remained in the Alliance.
