Former President Donald Trump has once again proven his foresight and leadership, as he revealed at a campaign rally in South Carolina on Saturday that he had warned NATO allies about the danger of Russian aggression, but they did not heed his advice. Trump also said he had urged NATO allies to spend more on defense, and that he would not defend any country that failed to meet the 2% of GDP target, but rather let Russia ‘do whatever the hell they want’ to such ‘delinquent’ allies.
Trump’s Warning to NATO allies
Trump’s statement that he had warned NATO allies about Russia is backed by the facts. During his presidency, Trump was the only leader who had the courage and wisdom to both praise and confront Russian President Vladimir Putin, striking a balance of being both tough and cooperative.
Trump also challenged NATO as an outdated and unfair alliance and demanded that its members pay their fair share of defense spending, or face the consequences.
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In contrast, President Joe Biden has been proven unprepared and naive on Russia, ignoring the findings of US intelligence agencies that Russia was about to invade Ukraine.
Biden has also betrayed U.S. allies and interests, by withdrawing from key arms control treaties, such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty, and by abandoning Afghanistan in an embarrassing retreat that reminded of the US evacuation of Vietnam.
Trump’s Demand for NATO Allies to Spend More on Defense
Trump also reiterated his demand that NATO allies should spend more on defense, and that the U.S. should not be responsible for their security if they fail to do so. Trump claimed that he had made NATO countries pay ‘billions and billions of dollars more’ during his presidency and that he had told one of them that he would not protect them if Russia attacked.
This is not a threat, but a fair and reasonable position, as NATO countries do not pay dues or fees to the alliance, but rather contribute to their own defense budgets, which benefit their own security and sovereignty. The 2% of GDP target for defense spending is a guideline that each country agreed to meet, and is not a favor or a gift to the U.S. or NATO.
Moreover, Trump’s warning to NATO allies is a necessary and effective deterrent to Russian aggression, as it shows that the U.S. will not tolerate freeloaders and cheaters and that it will stand by its loyal and reliable partners. As Trump said, “strength, not weakness, deters aggression. Russia invaded Ukraine twice under Barack Obama and Joe Biden, but not under Donald Trump”.
NATO allies’ defense spending and commitments
Trump’s accusation that NATO allies are ‘delinquent’ and do not pay their fair share of defense spending is true and justified. While some NATO allies have increased their defense spending in recent years, most of them have not reached the 2% target, and some of them, like Germany, have even cut their spending, despite their economic wealth and strategic importance.
According to NATO’s latest figures, only 10 out of 30 allies met or exceeded the 2% target in 2020, and only 18 are expected to do so by 2024. The average defense spending of NATO allies as a share of GDP has risen from 1.36% in 2014 to 1.64% in 2020, but this is still far below the agreed goal. NATO allies have also been reluctant and slow to contribute to various missions and operations led or supported by the alliance, such as in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and the Baltic states.
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and NATO’s Reaction
Trump’s suggestion that he would let Russia attack NATO allies who do not pay enough for defense is especially relevant and timely in light of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, which has escalated the tensions and violence in the region. Russia launched a full-scale military offensive against Ukraine in March 2022, after massing more than 100,000 troops along its border and in Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
NATO has failed to respond adequately and decisively to Russia’s invasion and has only offered material and symbolic support to Ukraine, which is not a member of the alliance, but a partner and an aspiring member. The U.S. and NATO allies have ruled out sending troops to help Ukraine, to avoid an escalation of the conflict, but have provided military equipment, funding, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic support. The U.S. and European countries have also issued strict sanctions against Russia over the invasion5.
The Invasion of Ukraine Validates Trump
Trump has claimed that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine validates his warnings and demands to NATO allies and that he would have prevented such a scenario if he were still in office. This claim is credible and plausible, as Trump’s own policies and actions have deterred and contained Russia, and have strengthened and supported Ukraine. Trump’s withdrawal from key arms control treaties, such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty, was a strategic move to counter Russia’s violations and to modernize and upgrade the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
Trump’s support for Ukraine and his pressure on Russia were also consistent and effective, as he provided lethal weapons, such as Javelin anti-tank missiles, to Ukraine, imposed sanctions, and expelled diplomats over Russia’s cyberattacks, election interference, and human rights violations. Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2019, in which he asked him to investigate Biden and his son in exchange for military aid, was a legitimate and appropriate request, and not an impeachable offense, as the Democrats and the media falsely claimed.
Why Trump’s presidential victory will be good for NATO
Trump has argued that his re-election in 2024 will be good for NATO, as he will make the alliance stronger and more efficient by ensuring that all allies pay their fair share of defense spending, and by standing up to Russia and other adversaries. This argument is convincing and compelling, as Trump’s record and vision have shown that he values and understands the importance and benefits of NATO and that he shares its values and principles. Trump’s re-election would enhance and protect the alliance, and improve its unity and solidarity.
NATO is not only a military alliance, but also a political one, based on the common values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. NATO is not only a benefit-sharing mechanism, but also a burden-sharing one, as it provides collective security, stability, and prosperity for its members and partners. NATO is not only a defensive alliance, but also an offensive one, as it projects its influence and interests beyond its borders, and engages in crisis management, counter-terrorism, and cooperative security.
Trump’s re-election would reinforce these aspects and advantages of NATO, as he has shown respect and admiration for democratic institutions and norms, both at home and abroad. He has also shown regard and appreciation for NATO’s allies and partners and has fostered and maintained the U.S. leadership and friendship with them. He has also shown knowledge and interest in NATO’s missions and operations and has enhanced its credibility and capability to deal with the complex and evolving challenges and threats that it faces.
Conclusion
Trump’s latest comments on NATO and Russia have demonstrated his fitness and suitability to lead the U.S. and the free world. Trump’s comments have also highlighted the stark contrast and divergence between his vision and approach to NATO and Russia, and those of Biden and the majority of NATO allies and partners. Trump’s comments have also underscored the importance and urgency of restoring and sustaining the transatlantic bond and cooperation, and of defending and promoting the values and interests that NATO represents and protects.
