Donald Trump's controversial remarks about NATO and the harsh reactions of Westerners

 Former US President Trump asked the leader of a country he did not name: "So, if we don't pay and are attacked by Russia, will you protect us?" He gave the following answer to the question: " I said: 'Haven't you paid your debt?' "Let's say that happens. No, I won't protect you. In fact, I will encourage them to do whatever they want. You have to pay." White House spokesman Andrew Bates described Trump's comments as "appalling and irrational" and said, "Encouraging the invasion of our closest allies... would endanger American national security, global stability and our economy." said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a written statement, "Any suggestion that Allies will not defend each other undermines our security as a whole, including that of the United States, and puts American and European soldiers at greater risk." Then the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said: "Reckless statements regarding NATO security and Article 5 solidarity serve only the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin." The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reacted to Trump's statements. In the statement made on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' social media account, "One for all, all for one. This NATO belief keeps more than 950 million people safe from Anchorage (Alaska) to Erzurum." It was said. Trump's new attitude towards Russia's possible attack on NATO members and America's indifference on this issue have once again brought the issue of America's relations with NATO and its members to the agenda.

During his presidency, Trump has repeatedly accused North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members of not allocating two percent of their gross national product to defense and not contributing enough to NATO's spending. He even saw NATO as an outdated organization that was no longer useful. Trump also complained about the involvement of European members of this military organization in both covering the organization's expenses and allocating sufficient funds for military affairs. Trump has repeatedly criticized the United States for unfairly paying more than its fair share to NATO. In late March 2018, US President Donald Trump wrote separate letters to the presidents of at least 10 NATO member countries, warning them not to neglect their commitment to allocate at least 2% of their gross domestic product to military spending, otherwise he would not tolerate it. The aforementioned statement of the former US President and the leading candidate in the Republican primaries, Donald Trump, and the reactions from the White House, the EU, NATO and European countries, not only within the USA but also abroad, about Donald Trump's return to power and the initiatives he will take in this case. reveals concerns. Washington's European allies believe that if Trump comes to power again, relations between Europe and the USA will once again be opened. In fact, as the New York newspaper wrote, the possible dissolution of NATO is at the center of unofficial talks in Berlin and other European capitals.