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Trump says he'd encourage Russia to attack 'delinquent' NATO members

The former U.S. president indicated that he would violate the North Atlantic Treaty if re-elected to the White House.

The NATO chief on a visit to the then-U.S. president in Nov. 2019
The NATO chief on a visit to the then-U.S. president in Nov. 2019 (AN/NATO)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, told a campaign rally he would "encourage" Russia to attack nations that fall short of NATO's defense spending targets.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reacted strongly on Sunday, saying Trump's remarks put soldiers at risk and the military alliance's 31 member nations remain committed to defending each other.

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