Tag: NATO

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Donald Trump Attends NATO Summit

Speaking to fellow heads of state in front of NATO’s new headquarters, President Trump called out those countries who he feels do not contribute their fair share.

From CNN:

“Twenty-three of the 28 member nations are still not paying what they should be paying and what they are supposed to be paying for their defense,” Trump said, delivering these remarks as heads of state of the other NATO countries looked on. “This is not fair to the people and taxpayers of the United States,” Trump said.

“2% is the bare minimum for confronting today’s very real and very vicious threats,” Trump said. “If NATO countries made their full and complete contributions, then NATO would be even stronger than it is today, especially from the threat of terrorism.”

You can see the reaction of some of those countries’ leaders below. They look quite enchanted, no?

And then there was this winning moment when Trump pushed Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic aside so that he could stand in front of the group.

I guess this is what Trump means by “America first.”

Watch below.

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Donald Trump Tells Washington Post U.S. Needs To Downsize NATO Involvement

Speaking to the Washington Post editorial board today, Donald Trump suggested that the United States’ reduce our involvement in NATO:

“Ukraine is a country that affects us far less than it affects other countries in NATO, and yet we’re doing all of the lifting,” Trump said. “They’re not doing anything. And I say: ‘Why is it that Germany’s not dealing with NATO on Ukraine? Why is it that other countries that are in the vicinity of Ukraine, why aren’t they dealing? Why are we always the one that’s leading, potentially the third world war with Russia.’ “

Trump declared U.S. involvement in NATO may need to be significantly diminished in the coming years, breaking with nearly seven decades of consensus in Washington. “We certainly can’t afford to do this anymore,” Trump said, adding later, “NATO is costing us a fortune, and yes, we’re protecting Europe with NATO, but we’re spending a lot of money.”

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President Obama denounces Russian aggression against LGBT community to EU and NATO leaders

Delivering the keynote speech to NATO and European leaders at the Palais Des Beaux-Arts in Brussels yesterday, President Obama pointedly denounced Russia’s campaign against its LGBT citizens.

CNN reports:

“We believe in human dignity – that every person is created equal, no matter who you are, or what you look like, or who you love, or where you come from,” he said.

Later, Obama reiterated criticism of Russian intolerance spawned by a law passed before the Sochi Olympics that outlawed promoting gay rights to children. Western ideals and values of openness and tolerance would endure long past repression, he argued.

“Instead of targeting our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, we can use our laws to protect their rights,” he said. “Instead of defining ourselves in opposition to others, we can affirm the aspirations that we hold in common. That’s what will make America strong. That’s what will make Europe strong. That’s what makes us who we are.”

You can watch his full remarks below: