WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attack NATO territory, pushing back against concerns about a possible Russian operation against a member of the Western military alliance.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump expressed confidence that Putin would not launch such an attack.
Trump Downplays CIA Director’s Russia Trip
Trump’s comments came amid scrutiny surrounding CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s recent trip to Moscow, where he met with Russian intelligence officials.
Trump described the contact between Ratcliffe and his Russian counterpart as routine and rejected suggestions that the CIA director had been sent specifically to deliver a warning to Moscow.
Russia’s foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin confirmed that he met Ratcliffe and characterized their talks as a working-level meeting involving sensitive intelligence matters.
NATO Concerns Remain
Two sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters that Ratcliffe did raise the possibility of a Russian operation against a NATO member, although it was unclear whether that was the primary reason for the meeting.
Russia’s relationship with Iran was also among the subjects discussed, according to Reuters.
Western intelligence agencies have continued monitoring Russian sabotage and other so-called “gray zone” activities in Europe that officials believe are designed to weaken NATO unity without triggering a direct military confrontation.
Pentagon Pushes for More European-Led Defense
The developments come as the Trump administration conducts a major review of the approximately 80,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe.
Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby told NATO allies that Washington wants Europe to take greater responsibility for the continent’s conventional defense while maintaining the alliance.
The review is expected to produce several options for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later this year.
Russia, NATO and U.S. Strategy
Trump’s statement could receive significant attention across Europe as NATO governments assess Russia’s intentions and the future scale of America’s military presence on the continent.
For now, Trump remains publicly confident that Putin will not take the dramatic step of attacking NATO territory.
USA Pulse will continue following developments involving the United States, Russia and NATO.
Source: Reuters — Trump says Putin will not attack NATO territory