U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday the NATO alliance should weigh throwing Spain out of its membership ranks over a dispute about the Western European nation's lagging military spending.
Members of the U.S.-backed security alliance agreed in June to sharply increase their military spending to 5% of gross domestic product, delivering on a major priority for Trump, who wants Europeans to spend more on their own defence.
But Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at the time that he would not commit to the 5% target, calling it "incompatible with our welfare state and our world vision."
At an Oval Office meeting on 9 October with the leader of NATO's second-newest member, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Trump said European leaders need to prevail upon Spain to boost its commitments to the alliance.
"You people are gonna have to start speaking to Spain," Trump said. "You have to call them and find why are they a laggard."
"They have no excuse not to do this, but that's alright. Maybe you should throw 'em out of NATO frankly," he added.
Spain joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1982. The 32-member collective-defence alliance has been in focus since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and launched the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two.
Meanwhile, when asked whether Washington planned new sanctions on Moscow, Trump replied, “I might,” indicating that further measures against Russia were under consideration.
He also dismissed the idea of withdrawing U.S. forces from Europe, saying the American military presence would remain steady.
“We have a lot of troops in Europe, as you know — a lot — and we can move them around a little bit, but no, basically we’ll be pretty much set,” Trump said.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that the next key step in resolving the war in Ukraine is a meeting in Geneva, where U.S., Ukrain...
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Brazil pushed through a compromise climate deal at COP30 in Belém, boosting funding for developing nations but sidestepping any mention of fossil fuels — the very drivers of global warming.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that the next key step in resolving the war in Ukraine is a meeting in Geneva, where U.S., Ukrainian and European national security advisers will advance the U.S.-led 28-point peace proposal.
Air traffic at Eindhoven Airport in the southern Netherlands was suspended on Saturday evening after multiple drones were sighted near the facility, prompting the deployment of counter-drone systems and raising fresh alarm over airspace security in Europe.
U.S. President Donald Trump described his meeting with New York City's mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, as "very productive" during a brief statement on Friday. The two leaders met in the Oval Office, where Trump emphasized their shared commitment to the future success of the city.
The pilot of an Indian fighter jet performing in the Dubai Air Show has died after the aircraft crashed during an aerial display on Friday.
An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed in a ball of fire during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday (November 21), leaving spectators in shock.
The full 28-point framework outlining a proposed settlement between Ukraine and Russia has been published by Axios, but has yet to be officially published. Drafted by the U.S. administration, it says it's built on security guarantees, territorial provisions and long-term economic arrangements.
President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will soon speak with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, amid speculation that the U.S. could launch an attack on the Latin American nation.
U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House to discuss housing, food security, and other affordability issues facing the city.
McLaren’s Lando Norris mastered the wet conditions under the lights of Las Vegas to secure pole position for Saturday’s Grand Prix, beating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in a tense and slippery qualifying session that could prove pivotal in the championship race.
The leaders of eight Nordic and Baltic nations held a joint call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, pledging continued military and economic support for Kyiv and reaffirming their commitment to Europe’s collective security amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.
Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro was taken into custody on Saturday after a Supreme Court justice cited an escape risk linked to a planned supporters’ vigil and evidence of tampering with his electronic ankle monitor, ending months of house arrest as he appeals his coup-plot conviction.
Several international airlines have suspended flights from Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned of heightened military activity and deteriorating security conditions in the country’s airspace.
Liverpool’s troubled defence of their Premier League title took another hit on Saturday as Arne Slot’s side suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, leaving the Reds languishing in 11th place and sparking anger among home supporters.
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