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THE HAGUE:
President Donald Trump cast doubt on Tuesday over the United States’ commitment to defending its NATO partners, suggesting there were “numerous” definitions to the cornerstone of the alliance’s mutual defence pact.
Trump was speaking to reporters en route to a NATO summit in the Netherlands, a two-day gathering which is intended to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that NATO is united, despite the US president’s past criticism, and determined to expand and upgrade its defences to deter any attack from Moscow.
However, pressed by reporters on Air Force One over whether he remained committed to mutual defence among allies as set out by NATO’s Article 5, Trump responded: “I’m committed to saving lives. I’m committed to life and safety.
And I’m going to give you an exact definition when I get there.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte played down the comments.
“I have no doubt that the US is totally committed to NATO, totally committed to Article 5,” he told reporters at the summit venue in The Hague. Trump also posted a screenshot of a message from Rutte congratulating him on his “decisive action in Iran” and getting all NATO allies to agree to spend more on defence.
“Europe is going to pay in a BIG way as they should, and it will be your win,” Rutte’s message read, indicating the effort he has put into keeping on the right side of Trump and ensuring the summit is a success.
