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.
But he often depicted NATO allies as leeches on the U.S. military and openly questioned the value of the military alliance that has defined American foreign policy for decades.
As of 2022, NATO reported that seven of what are now 31 NATO member countries were meeting that obligation — up from three in 2014.
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has spurred additional military spending by some NATO members.
Trump has often tried to take credit for that increase, and bragged again Saturday that, as a results of his threats, “hundreds of billions of dollars came into NATO”— even though countries do not pay NATO directly.
Persons:
Donald Trump, Russia “, ”, Trump, ’ ” Trump, “, NATO’s
Organizations:
— Republican, NATO, ”, ’, Congress, SENATE, AS, “ IF, WE, US, UNITED STATES, Trump, ., NATO ”
Locations:
Russia, Conway , South Carolina, ” Russia, Ukraine’s Crimean, Ukraine, U.S, United States