Trump says he would 'encourage' Russia to attack NATO allies in WW3 threat
Donald Trump has been slammed after he admitted he would "encourage" Russia to attack NATO allies - prompting World War 3 fears.
The Republican front-runner revealed on Saturday night that, as president, he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to countries that are “delinquent” as he ramped up his attacks on foreign aid and longstanding international alliances.
Speaking at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, Trump recounted a story he has told before about an unidentified NATO member who confronted him over his threat not to defend members who fail to meet the trans-Atlantic alliance’s defense spending targets.
But this time, Trump went further, saying had told the member that he would, in fact, “encourage” Russia to do as it wishes in that case.
READ MORE:Man kidnapped by abductors found alive in Mexico jungle with eyes taped shut
Brit has fingertip bitten off by Russian woman in beach beanbag argument
Trump was at a rally in South Carolina when he made the comments (AFP via Getty Images)“‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’” Trump recounted saying. “‘No I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.’”
NATO allies agreed in 2014, after Russia annexed Ukraine ’s Crimean Peninsula, to halt the spending cuts they had made after the Cold War and move toward spending 2% of their GDPs on defense by 2024.
The White House called Trump's words 'appalling and unhinged' and argued they 'promoted dangerous chaos'.
"President Biden has restored our alliances and made us stronger in the world because he knows every commander in chief’s first responsibility is to keep the American people safe and hold true to the values that unite us,' it said.
Trump said he would 'encourage' Russia (TCN)"Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged – and it endangers American national security, global stability, and our economy at home.
"Rather than calling for wars and promoting deranged chaos, President Biden will continue to bolster American leadership and stand up for our national security interests – not against them."
Donald Trump's former communications director, Alyssa Farah Griffin, wrote on Twitter that his declaration that he would not help NATO allies was 'music to Putin’s ears'.
Trump’s comments come as Ukraine remains mired in its efforts to stave off Russia’s 2022 invasion and as Republicans in Congress have become increasingly skeptical of providing additional aid money to the country as it struggles with stalled counteroffensives and weapons shortfalls.
The White House slammed Trump's 'dangerous comments' (Getty Images)They also come as Trump and his team are increasingly confident he will lock up the nomination in the coming weeks following commanding victories in the first votes of the 2024 Republican nominating calendar.
Earlier Saturday, Trump called for the end of foreign aid “WITHOUT “STRINGS” ATTACHED,” arguing that the U.S. should dramatically curtail the way it provides money.
Russian admits troops guilty of torture including knocking prisoner's teeth out
“FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, ARE YOU LISTENING U.S. SENATE(?), NO MONEY IN THE FORM OF FOREIGN AID SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ANY COUNTRY UNLESS IT IS DONE AS A LOAN, NOT JUST A GIVEAWAY,” Trump wrote on his social media network in all-caps letters.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
