German President criticises Trump, calls for NATO unity

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stressed the importance of maintaining NATO unity on February 12 from Nicosia, where he is paying the first official visit of a German President to Cyprus.

When questioned about Donald Trump’s assertion that as President, he would withhold US assistance from NATO allies who fail to meet their financial obligations to the alliance in case of a Russian attack, the President of Germany attributed it to pre-election rhetoric due to the ongoing campaigning for the American presidential elections, Philenews reports.

He further mentioned that in October of the previous year, he personally traveled to Washington and had discussions with President Biden, urging Europeans not to prematurely assume the outcome of US elections.

He expressed confidence in the current US President’s support for NATO, emphasizing the importance of maintaining NATO’s unity.

Stressing the need for European and German efforts to bolster NATO, regardless of changes in US leadership, he highlighted that his views were echoed by other German officials.

Regarding Trump’s remarks, he criticized them for undermining the strong position desired, deeming them irresponsible and beneficial to Russia, and detrimental to the alliance.