Stoltenberg responds to Trump, we should not undermine NATO’s credibility

This article was originally published in English

“The resistance lies in the minds of our adversaries. We must leave no room for miscalculation or misunderstanding in Moscow about our preparedness.” Our commitment and our determination to protect all allies” the NATO Secretary General said ahead of a meeting in Brussels of the alliance’s defense ministers this Wednesday.

“And the reason for doing so is not to provoke conflict, but to prevent it, as NATO has done successfully for 65 years.”,

to keep NATO strong “National interest to the United States”He further said, since the country “has never fought a war alone.”

Stoltenberg’s warning comes a few days after Trumpwho is running for president again and is currently the Republican favorite, suggested this at a rally in South Carolina Would “encourage” Russia to attackAny NATO nation that does not meet the target of spending 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.

He claimed that the leader of an unnamed “big country” in Europe had asked him: “If we don’t pay and Russia attacks us, will you protect us?”

Trump said his response was: “No, I would not protect them. In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever they want to do. They have to pay. They have to pay their bills. Will have to do.”

announcements provoked protest immediately and picked you upAllies strongly condemned Who considered these a reckless disregard of Article 5 of collective defense in time of war in Europe. US President Joe Biden didn’t mince his words, calling Trump’s comments “stupid,” “shameful,” “dangerous” and “un-American.”

“Can you imagine a former president of the United States saying that? The whole world heard it,” Biden said earlier this week. “The worst thing is that he wants it. No other president in our history has kowtowed to a Russian dictator.”,

“Irresponsible” statement

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Trump’s comments were “Irresponsible and dangerous”While European Council President Charles Michel spoke of “reckless statements” “They only serve Putin’s interests.”

During his tumultuous four years in office, Trump often portrayed NATO as a transactional enterprise based on countries injecting money rather than a military partnership. Based on mutual trust and cooperation. With polls predicting a close presidential race, Trump’s inflammatory comments fueled long-standing fears that his potential return to the White House could lead to the United States pulling out of the alliance. thereby exposing Eastern Europe to Russian aggression,

“NATO’s view is that an attack against an ally triggers A response from the entire coalition, As long as we stand behind that message, together we will prevent military attack against any ally. So the purpose of NATO is to prevent war, to keep the peace,” Stoltenberg told reporters when asked about Trump’s comments.

“So any suggestion that we’re not defending each other, that we’re not going to protect each other, weakens the protection of all of us, increases the risk.”, He continued. “It is important that we communicate clearly in both actions and words that we maintain NATO’s commitment to the safety and defense of all allies.”

common goal

A commitment to spend 2% of its GDP on the defense of NATO allies was first agreed in 2006. A shared purpose rather than a legally binding obligation.

This goal has been reaffirmed several times over the years and has become a minimum requirement following Russia’s all-out war in Ukraine. Since then, European governments have announced national plans to rapidly increase their defense spending, However only 11 out of 31 partners met the 2% objective in 2023.

On Wednesday, Stoltenberg revealed that, according to the alliance’s latest projections, 18 allies will reach the target end of 2024, European allies and Canada expect investment $380 billion in defense,

He said, “The criticism (in the United States) is not primarily about NATO. It is about NATO allies not spending enough on NATO. And that is a valid point.”

,This message had an impact, “European allies and Canada have stepped up and I hope they will continue to do so.”