Joe Biden forcefully condemned on Tuesday the recent “idiotic” and unworthy” comments of his Republican rival Donald Trump about NATO.
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On Saturday, the latter affirmed that he would “encourage” Russia to attack the countries of the defense alliance if they did not pay their share.
“It’s stupid, it’s unworthy, it’s dangerous, it’s un-American,” said the American president during a speech at the White House.
“The worst part is that he thinks it. Never before in our history has a president prostrated himself before a Russian dictator,” he continued.
“When America gives its word, it means something. When we make a commitment, we stick to it and NATO is a sacred commitment. Donald Trump sees this as a burden. He believes (NATO) is a racketeering system. He does not understand that NATO is based on fundamental principles of freedom, security and sovereignty,” Joe Biden continued.
“For Trump, principles don’t matter, everything is up for grabs. He does not understand that this sacred commitment also works for us,” said the 81-year-old Democrat, who, barring any major surprises, will face the 77-year-old Republican magnate in the November presidential election.
“Our adversaries have long sought to create fissures in the alliance. The greatest hope of all those who wish America harm is that NATO will fall apart. You can be sure that they applauded when they heard Donald Trump,” assured Joe Biden, who on the contrary prides himself on having given new impetus to the organization.
The former president’s comments sparked strong indignation in Europe.
Donald Trump regularly criticizes the allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for not keeping their commitments in terms of military spending.
Around twenty NATO countries will reach the objective of 2% of their GDP in military spending this year, we learned on Tuesday from a source close to the Alliance, a few days after these criticisms from the Republican on the States which would not pay their share in Europe.
