Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on the “Raging Moderates” podcast Friday that she was genuinely heartened by President Donald Trump’s recent dealings with NATO and the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.
NATO members agreed in June to boost their defense spending from 2 percent of gross domestic product to 5 percent by 2035 after Trump pressured them.
The president followed up in July by making a deal for NATO to pay for U.S. weapons supplied to Ukraine.
Clinton said on the podcast that these moves were positive indicators of improving “common ground” between the Trump administration and America’s European allies.
“I actually was encouraged by the events of the last several months. First of all, the NATO commitment by individual member states to increase their defense spending is very welcome. It’s something that prior administrations have certainly sought,” Clinton said. “And I think it’s great that we are seeing these commitments that now have to be followed through on. The willingness of European countries to support Ukraine, and by doing so by American weapons in order to provide them to the Ukrainians.
