Trump says NATO becoming ‘opposite’ of obsolete and collective defense is ‘fine’

NATO is now “becoming the opposite of” obsolete because other members of the alliance are “paying their own bills,” U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday.

Trump, who has repeatedly criticized NATO and expressed ambivalence about its collective defense clause, appeared to soften his stance on the military alliance. He told the BBC in an interview that NATO was doing “much better” and added: “I think collective defense is fine.”

The comments come after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte traveled to Washington to meet with Trump on Monday, seeking to convince him of the value of backing the alliance and Ukraine. During the Oval Office meeting, Trump announced that NATO allies would finance the purchase of America’s Patriot missile defense systems and other weapons for Ukraine, in his most significant move to support Kyiv. Rutte also met with Trump at last month’s NATO summit in The Hague, where he infamously referred to the U.S. president as “daddy.”

Trump, who has over recent days indicated that he is losing patience with Vladimir Putin over Russia’s increasing attacks on Ukraine and refusal to agree to a peace deal, again expressed his annoyance with the Russian president — but didn’t completely indicate a break.

Asked by the BBC whether he was “done” with Putin, Trump said: “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him. But I’m disappointed in him.”

On Monday, Trump threatened 100 percent tariffs on Russia if Putin doesn’t end the war with Ukraine in 50 days.

This is a developing story.