Nato chief says Trump’s Russia comments ‘put US and European soldiers at risk’

Nato head Jens Stoltenberg says Donald’s Trump’s suggestion that the US should not protect allies who fail to spend enough on defence “undermines all of our security”.

Speaking at a rally in South Carolina on Saturday, the former US president said he remembered how as president he told an unidentified Nato member that he would “encourage” Russia to do as it wishes in cases of what he called “delinquent” Nato allies.

The Republican presidential frontrunner said Russia should be able to do "whatever the hell they want" to alliance members who don’t meet their defence spending targets.

“‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’” Trump recounted saying at his Conway rally.

“‘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.’”

The Nato secretary-general contradicted the comments from Mr Trump, who is seeking to return for a second term as US president, and said that all 31 allies of the Nato bloc were committed to defending each other.

“Nato remains ready and able to defend all allies. Any attack on Nato will be met with a united and forceful response,” he said.

He added Mr Trump’s remarks «put American and European soldiers at increased risk».

“Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk,” Mr Stoltenberg said on Sunday.

“Regardless of who wins the presidential election, the US will remain a strong and committed Nato ally,” he said.

Mr Trump said he had informed his allies he would «encourage» Russia to attack any Nato member not meeting the alliance’s agreed defence spending target of 2 per cent of their GDP.

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