President Trump says he backs a key provision of the NATO alliance that requires members to come to the defense of another if attacked.
"I support it," he said about NATO's Article 5 provision during a press conference Thursday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. "I don't think we're going to have any reason for it."
Trump's comments come as the administration is working to negotiate an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine — talks that have left allies in Europe worried about the U.S. abandoning its commitments to the continent.
Thursday's press conference followed high level meetings between the two leaders about the war in Ukraine, tariffs and a potential trade deal.
Trump expressed confidence that a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia could be reached while downplaying concerns about U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine.
"I think it's going to happen, hopefully quickly. If it doesn't happen quickly, it may not happen at all," Trump said while standing beside Starmer.
As part of the broader effort to end the war, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will come to Washington, D.C., on Friday to sign a critical minerals deal. Trump indicated that the deal would serve as a security "backstop."
"I don't think anybody's going to play around if we're there with a lot of workers," Trump said about the prospect of a minerals deal bringing U.S. workers to Ukraine.
The president's stance on security guarantees — as well as Article 5 — are being followed closely by allies in Europe. Trump voiced little support for NATO and its alliance throughout the 2024 campaign. At one South Carolina event, he said the U.S. wouldn't defend NATO allies if they had not met NATO spending targets.
"If we don't pay and we're attacked by Russia, will you protect us?" Trump recalled another country's leader asking while him while he was president. "No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want."
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