Trump calls for NATO defence boost and questions Biden's strategy
Donald Trump, who was elected President, suggested on Tuesday that NATO countries should allocate 5% of their GDP to defence-related issues. Trump also expressed optimism that the conflict in Ukraine could be resolved within six months. He considered Joe Biden's policy, which includes NATO's open approach towards Ukraine, the reason for Russian aggression.
Trump spoke about the war in Ukraine and the Alliance during a Tuesday press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Recounting an incident from one of the NATO summits, when one of the leaders asked him whether America would protect "those not paying their bills", Trump noted that the required spending threshold was then 2% of GDP and that it should be 5%. When asked if he would push for defence spending to reach this level, Trump affirmed.
Trump wants to protect only those who spend
Trump suggested that NATO members should allocate 5% of their GDP to defence, arguing that the current 2% benchmark is insufficient for practical self-defence. He added that countries with standard military forces should aim for 4%. In comparison, those in high-risk areas should raise their spending to 5%, emphasizing that all member states are financially capable of meeting these targets.
He suggested that countries not meeting these requirements would not be protected by the United States, because "that's how it works in life".
Accusations against Biden
During a Friday conference, Trump also suggested that Ukraine should never join the Alliance, expressing understanding of Russia's demands on this matter. He stated that Joe Biden decided to refuse to rule out future Ukrainian accession to NATO, which was the reason for Russian aggression.
Trump stated that he took a firm stance on the matter, but at some point, Biden shifted his position, advocating for Ukraine's opportunity to join NATO. He acknowledged Russia's perspective, given NATO's proximity to its borders. Trump further claimed that, to his knowledge, there had been a potential agreement that could have satisfied both Russia and Ukraine while safeguarding Ukraine from aggression, but Biden's actions disrupted this arrangement.
Trump expressed a desire to meet with Vladimir Putin as soon as possible, voicing frustration that such a meeting could not occur until the start of his second term. He also stated his intention to work toward ending the war well before the midpoint of the year, emphasizing the heavy losses being endured by both sides.
