US President-elect Donald Trump has stated that NATO countries should spend five percent of their GDP on defense. He also expressed hope that the war in Ukraine would end within six months. He also stated that Joe Biden's policy was the reason for Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Trump spoke about war in Ukraine and the Alliance during a news conference Tuesday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Retelling the story from one of the NATO summits, when one of the leaders asked him whether America would protect “those who don't pay their bills,” Trump hinted that the required spending threshold at the time was two percent of GDP, but should have been five percent. Asked whether he would seek to increase defense spending to that level, Trump replied in the affirmative.
– Well, I think NATO should be five percent. You can't do it (defend yourself – ed.) with two percent. If you have a country with a regular military, it should be four percent, but if you're in a danger zone, it should be five percent – they can all afford it – Trump said.
He suggested that countries that do not meet these requirements will not be protected United Statesbecause “that's how it works in life.”
Currently none NATO country does not spend five percent of GDP on its defense, while Poland is closest to this threshold and is expected to spend 4.7 percent this year. According to NATO data, the United States spends about 3.3 percent.
Trump on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
During the conference, Trump also suggested that Ukraine should never have joined the Alliance, expressing understanding of the demands Russia on this matter. He also said it was a decision Joe Bidento refuse to rule out Ukraine's future accession to NATO was the reason for Russian aggression.
– They said it was carved in stone for them. But at one point Biden said, no, they should be able to join NATO. Well, if Russia has someone on their doorstep, I understand their feelings about it, Trump said. He added that “in his understanding” there was a supposed deal that would have satisfied both Russia and Ukraine and that would have protected Ukraine from Russian aggression, but it was thwarted by Biden.
Trump said he would like to meet with Vladimir Putin as soon as possible and expressed frustration that he could not do so before the start of his second presidency. He added that he hoped that he would be able to end the war “long before the end of the year”, noting that both sides were suffering heavy losses.
Main photo source: NATO