Trump Refuses To Say He’ll Defend NATO Allies From Attack — Will Only Promise To Be ‘Their Friends’

President Donald Trump refused to say he would defend NATO allies from attack 0151  promising only to be “their friends” — in remarks as he flew to the NATO summit.

The president has a history of antagonism toward NATO as it’s currently constituted, deriding allies who don’t pay enough for their own defense and flirting with abandoning the Article 5 commitment if the obligations aren’t met.

Trump emerged into the press cabin on Tuesday during the flight to the NATO summit in the Netherlands to take questions from reporters, and was repeatedly asked if he’d abide by Article 5, which states that an attack against one NATO country is “an attack against all.”

The president first said the answer depends on the “definition” of Article 5, claiming there are “multiple definitions.”

He said he would commit only to being “their friends.”

Trump was later pressed by Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason to “clarify,” and Trump again refused to commit to mutual defense, promising to say more on the subject during the summit, not “on the back of an airplane”:

REPORTER: Mr. President, are you committed to Article 5 of NATO?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Depends on your definition. There’s numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that right?

But I’m committed to being their friends, you know, I’ve become friends with many of those leaders and I’m committing to helping them.

…

REPORTER: One more follow-up? In your comments just now about Article 5, that will probably make some people in Europe concerned.

Can you clarify what you mean? Are you still committed to mutual defense?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I’m committed to saving lives, I’m committed to life and safety, and I’m going to give you an exact definition when I get there. I just don’t want to do it on the back of an airplane.

Watch above via the White House.