Trump affirms commitment to NATO allies
But 'Europe must do more' on defence, U.S. president says in Warsaw
U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed his administration's commitment to NATO's defence on Thursday, while calling on Russiato end its "destabilizing" action in Ukraine and elsewhere inthe world.
Trump's reference to Article 5of the NATO treaty, which commits alliance members todefend each other,represented a change of tone from the U.S. president, who upset allies by not mentioning support for the provision during a tripto NATO headquarters in May.
"We stand firmly behind Article 5," Trump said during a speech laced with warnings about the dangers faced by Western civilization in Warsaw, Poland.
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But he again called on NATO members, most of which are in Europe,to meet their financial requirements under the terms of the alliance, which requires each of the 29 countriesto spend two per cent of GDP on defence.
"Europe must do more," Trump said. "Europe must demonstrate it believes in the future by investingmoney to secure that future."
"The fundamental question of our time iswhether the West has the will to survive. Do we have the confidence in our values to defend them at any cost?"
Trump praised Poland for meeting its NATO commitments, and for its recent decision to purchase the U.S.-made Patriot missile defence system.
Trump's speech focused on the threat posed by terrorismbut appeared to include several veiled remarks about Russia, including references to the hardships Poland faced from the Soviet Union and a remark about the modern forms of aggression "propaganda, financial crimes and cyber warfare" now aimed at NATO.
The crowd also cheered when Trump said securing access to new energy sources means Polandwill "never again be held hostage to a single supplier of energy." Poland relies heavily on Russia for oil and gas, but a long-term contract for liquefied gas delivered from the U.S. could be signed "soon" according toPolish PresidentAndrzejDuda.
Trump was more blunt when he condemned Moscow's role in Ukraine and the Middle East.
"We urge Russia to cease its destabilizing activities inUkraine and elsewhere and its support for hostile regimesincluding Syria and Iran, and to instead join the community ofresponsible nations in our fight against common enemies and thedefence of civilization itself," he said, echoing remarks made earlier in the dayduring a joint news conference with Duda.
His remarks comeahead of his firstface-to-face meeting with Russian President VladimirPutininGermany during the G20 summit on Friday.
The Kremlin said in a statement it disagreed with Trump's initial comments and that it regretted a lack ofunderstanding between Russia and the U.S. aboutexpectations for their future relations.
Trump also told reportersthat the U.S. was working with Poland to addressRussia's "destabilizing behaviour" in the region remarks that prompted a rebuke from the Kremlin.
"We disagree with such an approach," Kremlin spokesmanDmitryPeskovsaid during a conference call with reporters.
Peskovsaid that the Kremlin also regretted a lack ofunderstanding between Russia and the U.S. aboutexpectations for their future relations.
"This is exactly why we are waiting for the first meeting ofthe two presidents," saidPeskov.
Trump started his first day in Europe at the Royal Castle, welcomed by PresidentAndrzejDudaand a vigorous handshake in front of a white marble bust ofStanislawAugustPoniatowski, the last king of Poland. The leaders then retreated to a room decorated with red walls for their private talks.
With files from Reuters and The Associated Press
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