World
Do not undermine NATO's credibility: Stoltenberg rebukes Donald Trump
“We should not undermine the credibility of NATO’s deterrence,” Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday, issuing a public rebuke to Donald Trump.
“Deterrence is in the mind of our adversaries. We should not leave (any) room of miscalculation or misunderstanding in Moscow about our readiness, our commitment and our resolve to protect all allies,” the Secretary General said on Wednesday ahead of a meeting in Brussels of the alliance’s defence ministers.
“And the reason to do so is not to provoke a conflict but to prevent a conflict as NATO has done successfully for the 65 years.”
Keeping NATO strong is in “the national interest of the United States,” he added, as the country “has never fought a war alone.”
Stoltenberg’s caveat comes days after Trump, who is running again for president and is currently the Republican frontrunner, suggested in a South Carolina rally he would “encourage” Russia to attack any NATO nation that does not meet the target of spending 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.
He claimed the leader of an unnamed “big country” in Europe had asked him: “If we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?”
Trump said his response was: “No I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.”
The remarks sparked an immediate outcry and drew fierce condemnation from allies, who saw it as an imprudent disregard of Article 5 of collective defence at a time of war in Europe. US President Joe Biden did not mince words, calling Trump’s comments “dumb,” “shameful,” “dangerous” and “un-American.”
“Can you imagine a former president of the United States saying that? The whole world heard it,” Biden said earlier this week. “The worst thing is, he means it. No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Trump’s remarks had been “irresponsible and dangerous,” while European Council President Charles Michel spoke of “reckless statements” that “serve only Putin’s interests.”
During his tumultuous four years in office, Trump often portrayed NATO as a transactional enterprise based on countries chipping in money rather than a military partnership founded on mutual trust and cooperation. With polls predicting a close presidential race, Trump’s incendiary comments ratcheted up long-harboured fears that his possible return to the White House might lead to America’s withdrawal from the alliance, which would leave Eastern Europe exposed to Russian aggression.
“The whole idea of NATO is that an attack on one ally will trigger a response from the whole alliance. As long as we stand behind that message, together, we prevent a military attack on any ally. So the purpose of NATO is to prevent war, to preserve peace,” Stoltenberg told reporters when asked about Trump’s comments.
“So any suggestion that we’re not standing up for each other, that we’re not going to protect each other undermines the security of all of us, increasing the risks,” he went on. “It’s important that both in actions and in words we communicate clearly that we stand by NATO’s commitment to protect and defend all allies.”
First agreed in 2006, the pledge of NATO allies to spend 2% of their GDP on defence is a shared objective, rather than a legally binding obligation.
The target has been reaffirmed several times over the years and became a minimum requirement in the wake of Russia’s all-out war in Ukraine. European governments have since then announced national plans to rapidly ramp up their defence spending, although as of 2023, only 11 of the 31 allies met the 2% target.
On Wednesday, Stoltenberg revealed that, according to the alliance’s latest estimates, up to 18 allies will reach the objective by the end of 2024. European allies and Canada are expected to invest $380 billion in defence.
“The criticism (in the US) is not primarily about NATO. It’s about NATO allies not spending enough on NATO. And that’s a valid point,” he said.
“This message has had an impact. European allies and Canada have stepped up and I count on them to continue to do so.”
Published on
US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his comments on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying she asked him “over and over” for a photo when the pair met at the G7 summit in France earlier this week.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Following the summit, Trump told an Italian journalist that he “felt sorry for Meloni” after she “begged me to take a picture with her”.
Meloni hit back in a video posted to social media, branding Trump’s claims as “completely made up” and insisting that neither she nor Italy begs anyone for anything.
The once close pair’s relationship has grown increasingly fractious in recent months, particularly since Rome refused to provide the US support for its operations in Iran and after Meloni defended Pope Leo XIV, who was criticised by the Trump administration over his remarks on the war and the US’s immigration policies.
“Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account on Saturday. “She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon”.
“Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her “numbers up.” No thanks!!!” Trump added.
World
‘X-Men’ Star Famke Janssen Says Marvel ‘Made a Mistake’ By Not Asking Her to Return as Jean Grey in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Famke Janssen said during a recent conversation with Nerdtropolis at Spacecon 2026 that Marvel “made a mistake” by not bringing her back as Jean Grey for December’s “Avengers: Doomsday.”
“I am so bad at keeping secrets that I always say to everyone I’m the worst actor in the world. It’s all on my face. You right away will read it,” Janssen said. “I think they made a mistake, but hey, who am I? I’m just a little me who thinks that.”
Janssen first appeared as the telepath Jean Grey, aka Phoenix, in 2000’s “X-Men,” and then reprised the role for 2003’s “X2: X-Men United” and 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand.” She also briefly appeared as Grey in 2013’s “The Wolverine” and 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”
Janssen’s absence from “Doomsday” is notable, considering Marvel is bringing back many of her “X-Men” co-stars for the film. Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique) are all set to return.
In an October 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Janssen said in every interview she does, she’s asked about the future of Jean Grey in the MCU.
“It’s interesting,” Janssen said. “I didn’t realize that was such a big part. Every interview I do, that will come up, and of everything I say, that is going to be the only thing that’s gonna be printed.”
“I should be flattered, I suppose, that this character has resonated with people,” she added. “It’s been so long, but it’s nice that people are still talking about her. I’m sure every single time there’s a new movie that they’re doing, like [is it] ‘Doomsday?’ … it’ll come up again.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Authorities are responding after two passenger trains crashed into each other Friday near Bedford, England, killing at least one person and injuring nearly 90 others.
The East of England Ambulance Service said it was called to a collision involving two trains at Elstow, near Bedford, at about 5:15 p.m. local time and quickly declared a “major incident.”
One person died at the scene, 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured and 56 people had minor injuries, officials said.
Bedford is roughly 60 miles north of London.
2 TRAINS COLLIDE IN DENMARK, LEAVING 5 PEOPLE CRITICALLY INJURED
Two passenger trains collided Friday in the United Kingdom. (Fox News)
All the patients with the most serious injuries have been taken from the scene to hospital.
The ambulance service said it sent numerous resources to the scene, including more than 20 ambulances, specialist hazardous area response teams and six air ambulances.
MULTIPLE STABBED IN UK TRAIN ATTACK NEAR CAMBRIDGE AS POLICE ARREST 2 SUSPECTS
Emergency crews were pictured working near the scene. (Fox News)
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we thank all emergency service colleagues for their swift response,” the ambulance service wrote in a statement.
The Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its crews were also responding.
“Please avoid the area,” fire officials wrote in a statement on X.
Sources told The Telegraph the train driver was on the phone with maintenance staff discussing a safety issue at the time of the crash.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
-
Sports4 minutes agoDodgers’ walk-off stuns Orioles as Dalton Rushing helps cap wild comeback
-
World16 minutes agoTrump doubles down on Meloni photo comments
-
News39 minutes agoThe Real Love Company made her feel whole. Then ‘Daddy’ said to strip naked.
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoWoman, man found shot to death in Pomona, suspect leads officers on erratic chase
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoToday in History: June 20, race-related rioting erupts in Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoSan Francisco hotels see steady World Cup business, but fall short of Super Bowl surge
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoDallas International Piano Competition brings finalists June 23
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoWhere to watch San Francisco Giants vs Miami Marlins: TV channel, start time, streaming for June 20
