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The Kremlin’s no comment, already happy to have brought home the wink of the (probable) next Republican candidate for the White House. And the angry comment from diplomacy and EU institutions, which are not used to sudden changes of direction. especially on the transatlantic alliance front. These are the reactions of Russia and Europe to the latest shock stance of Donald Trump, who in a recent rally in Conway, South Carolina, said he was ready to “encourage” states like Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” of NATO countries that do not respect their financial commitments, relaunching his campaign against allies reluctant to increase their defense contribution to 2% of GDP.
Russia at the window, Europe on the shields
“I am still Putin’s press secretary, not Trump’s,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov limited himself to saying, according to Tass, the day after Trump’s exit. “Let’s be serious: NATO cannot be an à la carte alliance: either it exists or it doesn’t exist. I’m not going to spend my time commenting on every silly idea that comes out during this election campaign in the US.” he instead attacked the EU High Representative Josep Borrell, on the sidelines of the informal Development Council in Brussels, commenting on the words of the former US president. “Let me be sarcastic,” he added, “during this election campaign we will hear many things said. But let’s be serious: NATO cannot be an à la carte alliance, an alliance that works according to the mood of the president of the United States: one day yes, the other no, it depends on who you are…come on, we are serious.”
Trump said “I will encourage Russia to act against those who do not pay NATO”
Biden alarmed: “frightening and dangerous” words
US President Joe Biden also attacked the former president. calling the remarks “appalling and dangerous.” warning US voters that Trump’s second term would destroy American relations abroad and embolden the country’s enemies. “If my opponent, Donald Trump, manages to regain power, it will be as clear as day that he will abandon our NATO allies if Russia attacks and allows Russia to ‘do whatever it wants’ with them,” he explained in an interview. “Serving as commander in chief is the ultimate responsibility and should weigh heavily on the people who hold this position,” he continued. “Donald Trump’s admission that he wants to give Putin the green light for further war and violence, to continue his brutal attack on a free Ukraine and extend his aggression to the people of Poland and the Baltic states is appalling and dangerous.” . Republican rival Nikki Haley also criticized Trump for his comments, warning the former president not to “take the side of a thug,” referring to Putin. Haley added that, if elected president, she would “absolutely” stand with NATO.