The government of Montenegro dismissed President Trump’s comments about possibly not coming to the NATO ally’s defense, if ever needed, because it could lead to World War III.
“In today’s world, it does not matter how big or small you are, but to what extent you cherish the values of freedom, solidarity and democracy,” a statement from the government read. “Therefore, the friendship and the alliance of Montenegro and the United States of America is strong and permanent.”
Trump was asked after his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin why the U.S. should send its troops to defend a small country.
“I understand what you’re saying, I’ve asked the same question. Montenegro is a tiny country with very strong people. They’re very strong people. They are very aggressive people, they may get aggressive, and congratulations, you’re in World War III. But that’s the way it was set up,” he told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson.
Montenegro has been part of NATO since June 2017. The alliance was created in 1949 to protect against Soviet invasion, and the treaty states the member countries must come to the defense of their allies if they’re attacked.
Trump’s comments came days after he rattled NATO allies during a meeting in Brussels where he threatened to pull out of the group if other members did not increase their defense spending. Seeing it as a threat to Russia, Putin has called for NATO to be dismantled.
