President Joe Biden on Tuesday condemned Donald Trump’s comments on Nato as “dumb”, “shameful” and “dangerous”.
The Republican presidential hopeful said that he would “encourage” Russia to attack members of the alliance that did not meet their defence spending targets.
Speaking on Saturday at a rally in South Carolina, Mr Trump recalled how as president he told a Nato country that he would “encourage” Russia to do as it wishes in cases of Nato allies who are “delinquent.”
“You didn't pay? You're delinquent?”’ he recounted saying. “'No I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills."'
His comments were condemned by the head of Nato, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who claimed they would put US and European soldiers at increased risk.
Mr Biden said the remarks raised the stakes for the US Congress to approve new funding to support Ukraine.
“No other president in history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator,” he said.
“The stakes were already high for American security before this bill was passed in the Senate last night.
“But in recent days, those stakes have risen. And that's because the former president has sent a dangerous and shockingly, frankly un-American signal to the world.”
He added: “For God's sake, it's dumb, it's shameful, it's dangerous, it's un-American.”
During his presidency, Mr Trump threatened to not to come to the aid of any country under attack that he considered to not be spending enough on defence.
Under Nato’s mutual defence clause, called Article 5, all allies commit help of any member who comes under attack.
In a message aimed at House Republicans, Mr Biden said: “Are you going to stand with Ukraine or are you going to stand with Putin? Will you stand with America or Trump?”
