NATO Secretary-Common Mark Rutte mentioned that he congratulated former President Trump on his victory within the U.S. presidential election, including that the candidate’s management will likely be “key” to retaining the alliance robust.
“I just congratulated @realDonaldTrump on his election as President of the United States. His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong,” Rutte wrote in a publish on the social platform X early Wednesday morning. “I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through #NATO.”
The reward comes as Trump has drawn scrutiny for threatening to tug out of the alliance, upend American help for the struggle in Ukraine and criticized NATO allies for not spending adequately on protection.
Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Harris, have considerably totally different approaches on methods to deal with Ukraine and NATO, as Harris has pledged robust help of Kyiv, whereas Trump has touted an isolationist method.
Whereas on the marketing campaign path and on social media, the previous president vowed to finish the almost three-year struggle between Russia and Ukraine if he was elected again to the White Home. His obvious friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has additionally raised eyebrows throughout the political spectrum.
Trump has been overtly important of Ukraine and referred to as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “one of the greatest salesmen” for securing billions of {dollars} in safety assist from Washington.
“He should never have let that war start,” Trump mentioned, apparently referring to Zelensky, throughout an interview with the “PBD Podcast” including, ”That struggle’s a loser.”
Harris, in the meantime, has backed Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, saying “my support for the people of Ukraine is unwavering” before a September meeting with Zelensky. She also said in an interview last month with CBS’s “60 Minutes” that she wouldn’t meet Putin to barter an finish to the struggle with out Ukraine.
“I have been proud to stand with Ukraine. I will continue to stand with Ukraine. And I will work to ensure Ukraine prevails in this war,” she had mentioned.
Trump met earlier this 12 months with the Ukrainian chief as nicely. Zelensky additionally provided congratulations to Trump for his election win early Wednesday.