U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith criticized former President Donald Trump for his recent comments suggesting he would not protect NATO member countries from Russia, calling the remarks “irrational and dangerous.”
Smith emphasized that encouraging the Kremlin to attack NATO allies puts U.S. soldiers and European allies at risk and increases danger in the region.
Trump’s comments came during a campaign stop, where he stated he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to member countries that do not meet defense spending goals.
NATO Ambassador (Credits: Channel 4)
This stance has been met with significant backlash, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stating that any attack on NATO would be met with a united and forceful response, as required by Article V of the NATO treaty.
Smith highlighted the importance of NATO allies meeting the 2% GDP defense spending commitment, noting that while only three allies fulfilled this commitment a decade ago, the number has now grown to 18, which she considers a significant achievement for the alliance.
She emphasized that NATO is not a country club with dues but rather a commitment to invest in defense collectively to strengthen the alliance.
The discourse surrounding Trump’s comments comes at a critical moment for Ukraine, which is facing increased pressure from Russia.
U.S. aid to Ukraine has been stalled in Congress, raising concerns about the country’s ability to defend itself. Smith stressed the importance of this assistance, stating that Ukraine is not only fighting to defend its territory but also the values shared by NATO members.
Overall, Smith expressed confidence that the U.S. will remain a strong and committed NATO ally, regardless of the outcome of the presidential election. She emphasized the need to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and to prevent further Russian advances into NATO territory.
