Trump Presses NATO on Military Spending, But Signs Its Criticism of Russia



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BRUSSELS – President Trump badailed Germany on Wednesday and asked that allies double their military spending targets, unleashing a broadside against President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

But even as Mr Trump raised questions about its commitment to the United States to the protection of the United States of America Crimea.

The contrast reflected a growing disconnect between Mr. Trump and the more traditionally minded foreign-policy advisers in his government when it comes to the role of the United States on the world stage. While there is no need for help and advisors to maintain the American global leadership, post-World War II institutions and strong alliances, the president appears to be a better deal for the United States – even if he

Mr. Trump was primed for confrontation before the convention, and it was called to a large glbad-and-steel NATO headquarters building that he has complained looks overly lavish. At a breakfast with Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Trump made it clear that he had come to Brussels as a virtual pariah among allies, and was perfectly happy to be in.

"I think the secretary general Trump likes, "he said, alluding to allies" stepping up their military spending in response to his pressure tactics. "He may be the only one, but that's O.K. with me."

Indeed, Mr. Trump spent the next few days practically making it. He has been in the process of becoming a member of the United States of America for the most part in the world of the world. "captive of Russia." His criticism was based on Germany's deal to import natural gas from Russia. [19659002Hedismissedaspaltry-"averysmallstep"thepresidentsaid-theincreasesthatNATOmembercountrieshavemadeintheirmilitarybudgetsinpartbecauseofhisrepeatedreadingsontheissue

"Frankly, many countries owe us I am concerned, because the United States has had to pay for them, "Mr. Trump said, mischaracterizing the commitments for NATO military spending work . "

" Trump added, "Mr. Trump added."

Behind closed doors, Mr. Trump suggests "This has gone on for many presidents, but no other president brought it up. that NATO allies increases their military budgets to two percent of their economies, which is inseparable from the six-year period, but to 4 percent – a steep increase that is inconceivable for many member countries. Later, he took it to the world to get to 2 percent "IMMEDIATELY, not by 2025."

Yet unlike at the Group of 7 meeting in Quebec last month, Mr. Trump did not refuse to sign the NATO declaration, although it was a mark of how much uncertainty he has created among allies that it is a foregone conclusion.

The first day of the summit meeting offered a stark Portrait of an American president who is more comfortable using sharp elbows, and less willing than ever to be restrained by aids and advisers.

It also reflected the degree to which Mr. Trump, ever preoccupied with his popularity and looking toward midterm congressional in which the Republicans' control of Congress is at stake, believes that attacking Europe and NATO and play well with his political base.

"I think he feels it's playing well with his base, fueling that sense. "The danger," Mr. Vershbow said, "Alexander Vershbow, to form NATO deputy secretary general, said of Mr. Trump in an interview"

"The danger," Mr. Vershbow said, "is that he's turning at least his base, and maybe other Americans, against NATO and against US global leadership by falsely defining it has a protection racket where we have not been paid enough by the protectees, rather than a mutually beneficial alliance that has kept peace and expanded the frontiers of democracy. "

Mr. Trump's condemnation of Germany

By pointing out the close connections between Germany and Russia on the Nord Stream II gas pipeline, and the degree to which They are dependent on each other financially, Mr. Trump was borrowing a page from his criticism that he suggested that because of his opposition to the 2016 election on his behalf, he is beholden to Mr. Putin. It was a way of implying that it is Germany's leader, not he, who is too compromised to be able to effectively counter the Russian president.

"The former chancellor of Germany is the head of the pipeline company that's supplying the gas, Mr. Trump said, referring to Gerhard Schröder, to train German chancellor and friend of Mr. Putin's who leads the project. "So you tell me, is that appropriate?"

One senior White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that Mr. Trump was aware of – and had groused about – the criticism that he is too close to Mr. Putin. What does it mean? Mr. Trump's comments about the pipeline – which echoed security concerns voiced by the Obama administration – an effort to hit back at the president feels a double standard about his relationship with Russia.

Jorge Benitez, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said Mr. Trump's comment that he is acting alone and is instinctive, and that he is willing to go unreliable in Brussels.

"It is in the United States, the US interest in the US, "Mr. Benito said of the president's shares. "Katie Rogers contributed reporting."