Trump reaffirms support for NATO’s mutual defense obligations
US President Donald Trump has expressed support for NATO’s Article V, which obligates alliance members to defend one another in the event of an attack.
Speaking at a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump stated, “I support it,” when asked about the clause in the context of potential European peacekeepers in Ukraine following a ceasefire.
Trump added, “I don’t think we’re going to have any reason for it. I think we’re going to have a very successful and long-lasting peace, and hopefully, it will happen quickly. If it doesn’t happen quickly, it may not happen at all.”
His remarks follow previous statements that alarmed US allies, including his suggestion that NATO members failing to meet defense spending targets should not expect US protection. In 2023, he controversially said he would “encourage” Russia to act against NATO countries that do not pay their fair share.
NATO allies committed in 2014 to increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2024, a goal that many have yet to meet. Trump’s stance has long emphasized that European nations should contribute more to their own security, viewing the US as shouldering an unfair burden.
The White House criticized Trump’s past comments, calling them “appalling and unhinged,” while some European leaders have expressed concerns over US reliability under his leadership.
Despite his past skepticism of NATO, Trump endorsed Article V during his presidency. His latest remarks come amid heightened tensions over Ukraine’s defense and growing hesitancy among Republicans in Congress to approve additional aid for Kyiv.
