NATO has criticised comments made by Donald Trump, claiming he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to countries that don’t pay enough for defence.
The former US president recalled an exchange with an unnamed leader about whether the country would be protected if Russia attacked them.
“They asked me that question …and said, ‘well sir if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia will you protect us’?” Trump said at a campaign rally.
“I said you didn’t pay, you delinquent? He said, ‘yes, let’s say that happened’.
“No I would not protect you, in fact I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want – you got to pay your bills.”