Controversial statement from Trump! 'I would encourage Russia to attack NATO countries that don't pay enough'
Speaking during his election campaign, former US President Donald Trump said he would "encourage" Russia to attack NATO allies that do not meet their financial obligations.
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Former US President Donald Trump recalled that during his presidency, he threatened not to prevent any Russian attack on allies that did not fulfill their financial obligations to NATO.
In a speech in the US state of South Carolina, Trump stated that during his time as president, he "confronted" an ally over his remarks that members who do not meet NATO's defense spending targets should not be defended.
In his response to the ally who opposed him, Trump recounted that he told them if payments were not made, he would let Russia do whatever it wanted and would "encourage" their potential attacks.
Trump said, "Why aren't you paying? I wouldn't protect you, in fact I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever the hell they want. You have to pay your bills."
Following Trump's remarks, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates described the idea of encouraging the invasion of NATO allies by murderous regimes as "appalling and unhinged."