BRUSSELS (AP) In a combative start to his NATO visit, President Donald Trump asserted Wednesday that a pipeline project has made Germany “totally controlled” by and “captive to Russia” and blasted allies’ defense spending, opening what was expected to be a fraught summit with a list of grievances involving American allies.
Trump, in a testy exchange with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, took issue with the U.S. protecting Germany as it strikes deals with Russia.
I have to say, I think its very sad when Germany makes a massive oil and gas deal with Russia where were supposed to be guarding against Russia, Trump said at breakfast with Stoltenberg. Were supposed to protect you against Russia but theyre paying billions of dollars to Russia and I think thats very inappropriate.
