Joe Biden, the President, is very unhappy with Donald Trump’s negative comments about Nato. He thinks they are not smart, and they make America look bad.
The Democrat criticized Mr. Trump for saying he would “support” Russia in attacking any Nato member that doesn’t spend enough on defense.
Mr Biden said that the comments show the importance of quickly passing a $95 billion foreign aid package for US allies.
The Senate approved the bill, but it may have trouble getting approved in the House because of political issues.
Mr Biden said at the White House on Tuesday that not passing the package, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine, would help Putin.
He said things have become more serious because of Mr. Trump’s “dangerous” comments over the weekend.
Mr Biden said that no president before has ever shown respect to a Russian leader.
“Let me make this really simple. ” I won’t Please, for the love of God. It’s stupid It’s embarrassing It’s not safe. “It’s not American. ”
At a gathering in South Carolina, Mr. Trump, a member of the Republican party, complained about late payments from Nato members.
He talked about a previous discussion he had with the leader of a large country about a possible attack from Russia.
Mr Trump said that the official wanted to know if the US would protect a NATO member that didn’t pay its fair share.
Mr Trump told the people, “I said, ‘You didn’t pay. You’re late on your payments. ‘” “No, I won’t keep you safe. I’d even tell them to do whatever they like. ” “You have to give money. ”
Mr Biden said the previous leader was using the military alliance to bully and control others.
“I will protect all of Nato’s land if President, even if Putin attacks. ”
Mr Biden said that the only time Nato has used Article 5 of its charter was after the 9/11 attacks on the US. This article says that if one member of Nato is attacked, all members need to defend them.
The president asked House Republicans if they will support Ukraine or Putin. He also asked if they will support America or Trump.
Nato will say on Wednesday that 18 out of 31 members are meeting their goal of spending 2% of their country’s money on defense.
Out of all the countries in Nato, only Poland spends a larger portion of its money on defense compared to the US.
In 2016, only five countries in Nato reached the same goal. Trump criticized this and said the US might leave the alliance.
The argument between Mr Biden and Mr Trump about Ukraine aid and US-Nato relations shows a big difference in their ideas for the future election.
Mr Biden often talks about how the US is a big part of a long-lasting global disagreement between countries that have democracy and countries that are ruled by one person or a small group.
He thinks that Ukraine is an important battleground in this conflict, and European allies in Nato and the EU are important partners.
For four years, President Trump often didn’t think global alliances were important for the US. He preferred dealing directly with other countries and their leaders, and prioritized America above all else.
If Nato and other countries that are friends with the US do not benefit America, he is okay with the idea that they can be replaced.
The Senate approved a package with $60 billion for Ukraine, $8 billion for Taiwan and other US allies in Asia, $14 billion for Israel’s fight against Hamas, and $10 billion for helping people in conflict areas like Gaza.
22 Republican senators agreed with it, but many conservative lawmakers didn’t like it because they want the government to focus on the increasing number of migrants at the southern US border before sending more money to other countries.
An earlier effort to pass a $118 billion aid package with border security rules failed because President Trump didn’t like it.