nFollowing the statements of US presidential candidate Donald Trump, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned against suggestions that the allies would not be able to fulfill their commitment to provide assistance in the event of an attack. “Any suggestion that allies will not stand up for each other undermines our entire security, including the security of the United States,” Stoltenberg said on Sunday.
This means increased risks for American and European soldiers. The United States is expected to remain a strong and committed NATO ally regardless of who wins the presidential election. Trump wants to run again for the Republican Party in the November elections.
The former US President said at an election campaign event in South Carolina that “the president of a great country” once asked him whether the United States would still protect this country from Russia even if it did not pay for defense costs. He replied: “No, I will not protect you.” Rather, he „encourages Russia to do whatever the hell it wants.” It was not clear whether such a conversation had ever taken place between Trump and a head of state, as the Republican also said: „Let's assume it did.”
Stoltenberg stressed on Sunday that NATO is ready and able to defend all allies. The Norwegian said: “Any attack on NATO will be met with a unified and strong response.” EU Council President Charles Michel has criticized that „reckless statements” on NATO security only serve the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is necessary for the European Union to become more independent, invest in its defense and stand united.
“This refers primarily to us Germans.”
CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen warned in Bild newspaper that Germany should “prepare for the possibility of Donald Trump winning the US elections in the fall.” The former chairman of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee said this would plunge NATO into an existential crisis because Trump sees the defense alliance in purely transactional terms. “Anyone who, in his view, does not pay enough will not be protected by the United States.” From Trump's perspective, he declares countries that don't pay „fair game.” This refers primarily to us Germans.”
Therefore, Germany must „understand that we will soon have no choice but to defend ourselves at a time when Europe is witnessing a war. We must do this as Europeans because anything else will be tantamount to surrender to Putin,” Röttgen said. He demanded, in concrete terms, that this It means „we have to significantly increase arms production in Europe.”
White House spokesman in Washington, Andrew Bates, previously strongly criticized Trump's statements on Saturday evening (local time). “Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is horrific and troubling, and puts American national security, global security, and the stability of our domestic economy at risk,” Bates said.
Announcing mass deportations
Trump, who ruled the White House from 2017 to 2021, has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the United States from the defense alliance. The Republican wants to be re-elected as president next November and is fighting for his candidacy in his party's primary elections. Among other things, he declares his desire to continue the fundamental reassessment of NATO.
His party, in turn, blocked the release of billions more in aid to Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia, for several months. On Wednesday, a legislative package that included support for Israel and billions of dollars for US border security, in addition to new aid worth 60 billion euros (56 billion euros) for Kiev, failed in the Senate.
In South Carolina, Trump celebrated the failure of the legislative package and also announced mass deportations if he is re-elected. “From day one, I will end the entire open borders policy of the Biden administration and we will launch the largest national deportation operation in the history of the United States,” the Republican said. „We have no other choice.”
The so-called National Security Amendment included a total of $20.2 billion for border security. In addition, the settlement negotiated by Democrats and Republicans included several changes to immigration policy.
Ridicule against Nikki Haley
At the rally, Trump also mocked his rival for the Republican nomination, Nikki Haley, who was a former governor of the US state. In his speech to voters in Haley's home state, Trump raised the issue of her husband, Michael, remaining in the election campaign. “Where's your husband? Oh, he's out of town (…) What happened to your husband?” Trump blasphemed.
The person addressed responded on online platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “Michael is deployed and serving our country, which you don't know. “A person who does not consistently respect the sacrifices of military families has no place as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.” Haley wrote In reference to her husband's deployment in the Horn of Africa.
Haley is considered Trump's only internal party competitor in the struggle for the presidency of the Republican Party. However, in the primaries that actually took place, she always trailed the former president.
