Key Takeaways
- The EU’s Michel emphasizes the need for EU to invest in its defence and achieve strategic autonomy, following Trump’s statement on NATO.
- Trump’s statement on NATO’s security serves only Putin’s interest and does not bring more security or peace to the world.
- The EU must develop its strategic autonomy and invest in its defence to keep its alliance strong and secure.
Brussels: The European Union should achieve strategic autonomy and invest in its defence, European Council President Charles Michel said on Sunday following a statement by former US President Donald Trump about Washington’s relations with NATO allies.
“Reckless statements on NATO’s security and Art. 5 solidarity serve only [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s interest. They do not bring more security or peace to the world. On the contrary, they emphasise the need for the EU to urgently further develop its strategic autonomy and invest in its defence. And to keep our alliance strong,” Michel said on X.
On Saturday, Trump spoke at a rally in South Carolina, where he revealed that a NATO leader had asked him about US support in the event of a Russian attack. Trump replied that NATO countries did not invest enough in defence, and vowed to encourage Russia to do whatever it wants, while also emphasizing that NATO member states must pay their share.
