France responds to rumors of Trump cutting NATO investments
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
NATO funding depends on the decision of newly elected US President Donald Trump. However, Europe must independently ensure its own security, states French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche.
He addressed rumors about a possible reduction in US investments in NATO following Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The minister emphasized that this decision rests solely with the new US president and his administration, though this discussion is not new.
“General de Gaulle already explained that Europe was naive to delegate its security to the United States, and he rejected that model for France. Let’s go a step further and put ourselves in the Americans’ shoes: why should taxpayers in Arizona or Nevada fund the security of Poles or Germans?” Lecornu stated.
The French minister believes that, given new threats, it is reasonable for Europeans to take responsibility for their own security. He noted that France has adhered to this principle since 2017.
“Each country should continue strengthening its military capabilities by allocating more budget resources and maintaining fully operational forces,” he added.
Background
According to Western media, allies fear that if Donald Trump returns to the White House, he may reduce funding for NATO and assistance to Ukraine. There are also concerns at the UN that Trump could cut investments, giving China more influence.
Commenting on the US election results, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested that Trump might push partners to increase their defense spending. He agreed with Trump’s criticism that Europe needs to invest more in its defense.
It remains unclear what Trump’s policy on Ukraine will be. Media outlets have published various versions of Trump’s so-called peace plan, which allegedly aims to freeze the war in Ukraine.
