President Trump: NATO is waging war against Russia in Ukraine
President Trump said the conflict in Ukraine is a war between NATO and Russia.
According to TASS news agency, US President Donald Trump has admitted that the war in Ukraine is essentially a war between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Russia.
The US leader said that during his first term (2017-2021), NATO member countries, under his pressure, began to significantly increase military spending.
"Billions of dollars went in, and NATO became much stronger. Now NATO has spent a large portion of that money on this terrible war," President Trump said at a White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin, referring to the conflict in Ukraine. "It's a shame they had to do that," Trump said.
Asked if the US saw a future in NATO, President Trump said: "NATO has to treat us fairly. They have to pay their bills and do what they have to do."
At the same time, Mr. Trump emphasized that he had previously warned about America's reluctance to support countries whose defense spending displeased Washington. "If you don't pay the bill, I won't help you," the White House owner emphasized.
Moscow has repeatedly pointed out that the West has launched an undeclared war against Russia in Ukraine.
In recent months, President Donald Trump has repeatedly reiterated his intention to push NATO member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. The alliance's goal of increasing military spending to 2% of GDP was set at the Wales Summit in September 2014, citing the "threat from Russia." This happened after Crimea was annexed by Russia. In July 2023, at the Vilnius Summit, it was decided that 2% of GDP is not a target but a minimum level of defense spending for NATO countries.
US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth said in February 2025 that the Trump administration does not foresee the US leaving NATO, but will not tolerate an imbalance in relations with Europe that makes Brussels dependent on Washington.
