Trump vs. NATO Sec: We’re Supposed To Protect You While Germany Sends Billions To Russians, “Very Sad” Posted By Ian Schwartz
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/07/11/trump_vs_nato_sec_were_suppose
President Trump and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had a riveting exchange Wednesday morning at a table featuring representatives from both the U.S. and NATO at a meeting in Brussels. Trump came out swinging on the hypocrisy of NATO’s goal to protect countries from Russia while at the same time making energy deals with the nation.
“So we’re supposed to protect you against Russia but they’re paying billions of dollars to Russia and I think that’s very in inappropriate,” Trump said. “And the former Chancellor of Germany is the head of the pipeline company that is supplying the gas. Ultimately, Germany will have almost 70% of their country controlled by Russia with natural gas. So you tell me, is that appropriate? I’ve been complaining about this from the time I got in.”
The U.S. president said Germany is “totally controlled” by Russia through its oil and gas deals with the country, also calling it “very sad.” Trump said NATO is essentially protecting Russia also. He called it a bad deal for NATO and asked if the NATO Secretary General if he thought that was appropriate.
“They’ll say wait a minute we’re supposed to be protecting you from Russia but why are you paying billions of dollars to Russia for energy? Why are countries in NATO, namely Germany having a large percentage of their energy needs paid to Russia and taken care of by Russia?” Trump asked.
Trump repeated it doesn’t make sense that NATO’s mission is protecting western Europe from the influence of Russia while at the same time these countries are making energy deals with the nation. He said if we’re going to have an alliance that means shared interests it must also mean shared investments.
“Germany is a captive of Russia,” he said of the oil-gas deal between the two countries.
Trump called on countries, specifically Germany, to “step it up” on their contribution to NATO immediately, not 10 years from now.
“Germany as far as I am concerned is captive to Russia … we’re supposed to protect Germany while they are getting their energy from Russia, explain that,” Trump once again asked the NATO Secretary General.
Trump also called it “very unfair” to the United States and to taxpayers.
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