US President Donald Trump has confirmed he is still committed to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has told reporters following a meeting of the military alliance’s foreign ministers in Brussels.
Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO, accusing European allies of not spending enough on their militaries and threatening to withhold support.
Asked if Trump was still committed to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on the entire alliance, Sikorski said: “President Trump has confirmed it to the heads of state and government, it [Article 5] is still valid.”
Sikorski also welcomed signs that the U.S. administration recognizes the value of partnerships within NATO.
“The alliance is an insurance policy in case something happens that we don't wish for, but which can happen,” he said.
Sikorski pointed out that European members of the military alliance are now making a much greater contribution. “The non-American part of the alliance spends twice as much money on defense today as it did at the beginning of Trump's first term,” he said.
Trump’s criticism of NATO spending during his first presidency prompted many European governments to increase their military budgets. Sikorski noted that this trend is continuing, pointing to a new program unveiled by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, that foresees future increases.
Asked if Trump was still committed to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on the entire alliance, Sikorski said: “President Trump has confirmed it to the heads of state and government, it [Article 5] is still valid.”
Sikorski also welcomed signs that the U.S. administration recognizes the value of partnerships within NATO.
“The alliance is an insurance policy in case something happens that we don't wish for, but which can happen,” he said.
Sikorski pointed out that European members of the military alliance are now making a much greater contribution. “The non-American part of the alliance spends twice as much money on defense today as it did at the beginning of Trump's first term,” he said.
Trump’s criticism of NATO spending during his first presidency prompted many European governments to increase their military budgets. Sikorski noted that this trend is continuing, pointing to a new program unveiled by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, that foresees future increases.
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