The newly elected president of the United States Donald Trump needs to clear up his views on Russia, and to understand that we need to behave towards NATO as it is an alliance of common values and not a business, said the German minister of Defence yesterday.
“What I hope to tell his advisors that he needs to know is that NATO is not just a business. It’s not a company,” said Ursula von der Λάιεν in a broadcast channel ZDF yesterday. “I don’t know what is the valuation for NATO,” he added.
During his election campaign, Trump had threatened to abandon the allies of the USA in Europe if you don’t spend enough for the body’s defenses.
“You can’t say that the past doesn’t count, the values that we share don’t count’, but trying to get as much money as you can from this (NATO) and to (wonder) if you can get a advantageous (financial) deal of it,” he said.
The von der Λάιγεν advised Trump to not come too close Russian president Vladimir Putin, stressing that NATO has a stand on the side of the united states after the attacks of 11 September 2001.
“Donald Trump needs to state clearly which side he belongs. If it is in the side of the law, of peace and of the republic, or if he’s not interested in all this and is looking instead for a buddy (to Putin),” he said.
The Trump has expressed admiration for the Russian president, who has been condemned by the West for its actions in Ukraine.
Berlin is advising Trump to stay away from him…
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