“I will not give (money to Ukraine) if Europe does not match the payments. If Europe is not going to pay, why do we have to pay?” said D. Trump in an interview with “Time”.
In his opinion, the war in Ukraine is generally more relevant for Europe than for the United States. “They (Europeans) were much more affected (by the war). An ocean between us. There is none between them (Europe and Ukraine),” the candidate for the US president explained his logic.
During an interview with “Time”, D. Trump, who is preparing for the elections, repeatedly repeated that “Biden handled the situation with Putin very poorly.” “Putin should never have attacked Ukraine. And he didn’t do it while I was in power,” D. Trump traditionally praised himself and criticized the current US president and competitor in the 2024 elections.
Donald Trump
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Donald Trump (photo by SCANPIX)
Donald Trump (photo by SCANPIX)
Donald Trump (photo by SCANPIX)
Donald Trump (photo by SCANPIX)
Donald Trump (photo by SCANPIX)
D. Trump’s trial (photo by SCANPIX)
Donald Trump (photo by SCANPIX)
Donald Trump (photo by SCANPIX)
Donald Trump (photo by SCANPIX)
Donald Trump (photo by SCANPIX)
Donald Trump (photo by Scanpix)
About NATO and European countries: I want them to pay money
D. Trump has said that he would “allow Russia to do what it wants to NATO countries if they do not spend enough money on their defense”. When asked to explain his idea, he insisted that he wanted “them to pay.”
“Yes, I said that. <...> I want them to pay. That was part of the negotiation. I said, look, if you don’t pay, you’re on your own. And I will stick to it,” he explained.
The US presidential candidate also reminded that this issue was raised long before, when he was still in power, and then “billions of dollars started flowing into NATO”.
“At that time, the countries allocated 100 billion dollars more for your defense. <...> Do you know that the NATO treasury was empty. They had no funds, they were dying, we were barely paying 100%. NATO money. We protected Europe, and they didn’t even pay,” explained D. Trump.
D. Trump noted that only 8 countries paid (the 2006 commitment to reach 2% of the country’s GDP, which is not mandatory. NATO countries must only comply with Article 5 of the obligation to defend other countries in the event of an attack, – ed. post .) “as far as it belongs”.
“I told them if you don’t pay, do whatever you want, but we won’t defend you. I said it a few weeks ago, two months ago, and I’ll say it again in the war,” Trump said, later adding that it was more of a negotiating position that should force those unwilling to increase defense spending to reconsider their policies.
“I want Europe to pay. I don’t want anything bad to happen to Europe, I love Europe, I love European people, I have a great relationship with Europe. But they are using us, both on NATO and Ukraine issues. We pay billions of dollars more to Ukraine than they do. It should not be that way. It should be the other way around. Because it affects them more. We are separated by an ocean and they are not. And when I say things like that, it’s negotiable, and I’ve done a great job here because billions of dollars have started to flow in lately,” Trump praised his ability.
D. Trump also recalled the 2016 meeting with the leaders of the 28 NATO countries, when he openly said that the United States would not defend those countries that do not comply with at least 2 percent. defense GDP policies. Then, according to him, “billions of dollars magically began to flow immediately.”
“Obama never spoke like that. Obama would have given his speech and left. Bush would have made a speech and left. I went and looked at the numbers and said, look, the US is keeping NATO. We pay close to 100%. NATO (expenses)”, boasted D. Trump.
“When I arrived, they started paying the bills. Secretary Stoltenberg said, I hope, he says it now, but he has said it publicly and loudly that he has not seen a more powerful force than Trump. Because every president flew in, spoke and flew out. Trump came and he got billions of dollars. I got them billions of dollars from countries that were living in debt. And he was my biggest fan. I hope he still is, but I’m not sure if he is or not. <...> I did a hell of a lot of work getting money for NATO, because no one else did – NATO had no money. NATO would not even be able to do what they are doing now. They had no money. All they managed to do was set up an office. They spent 3 billion dollars for the office”, complained D. Trump. 2010-2016 About 1.1 billion was spent on the NATO headquarters built in Belgium, the opening of which in 2017 was attended by the then US President D. Trump. euros.
The Republican candidate in the US presidential elections this fall emphasized that he is not going to change the NATO agreements or revise the agreements currently in force. According to him, he just wants “the current agreements to be honored and the bills paid, which they are not doing.”
Doubts the help of NATO allies in the event of an emergency
D. Trump, despite the fact that the NATO alliance seems “in order” to him, does not believe that when the hour of disaster comes, countries will rush to defend the Americans.
“I demand that they pay their bills. It’s simple. Everything is fine with NATO. Although I see a problem with NATO, that NATO would not come to our aid if we had a problem, – explained D. Trump. – I don’t believe that. I know them. It’s a one-way traffic, even if they pay off. I want them to pay. However, I believe that if we were attacked, NATO would not be here. Many NATO countries would not appear there,” he explained.
The issue of aid to Ukraine: it will be provided, but only if Europe contributes more
Speaking about the issue of aid to Ukraine, D. Trump promised to continue it, but he would help only with a greater contribution from European countries.
“I will try to help Ukraine, but Europe must also be there and do its job. They are not doing their job. Europe is not paying its fair share, he explained. “If Europe doesn’t want to pay, why should we?”
