WASHINGTON, United States: President Donald Trump said Thursday he was not concerned about a Russia-NATO attack in Europe, despite public warnings from several European leaders.
Trump told Axios there was “no problem” when asked whether Moscow could launch a military provocation against a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member.
European officials have raised concerns that Russia could test NATO’s Article 5 collective-defence commitment through a limited attack or other military action.
Trump also rejected reports that Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow on Tuesday to warn Russia against attacking NATO territory.
Instead, Trump described Ratcliffe’s meeting with Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin as routine contact between the two intelligence chiefs.
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Naryshkin confirmed Thursday that he met Ratcliffe in Moscow. He also described the talks as routine and said they covered intelligence matters.
Later Thursday, reporters again asked Trump whether Washington had warned Russian President Vladimir Putin about attacking NATO territory.
Trump declined to discuss any warning. However, he said Russia was “not going to attack NATO territory.”
Recent security concerns have intensified after Russian drones entered the airspace of NATO members Poland and Romania.
