- US President Trump criticised NATO, claiming US funds trillions with no return
- Trump said European allies rely heavily on US military support and funding
- He described the Ukraine war as a humanitarian catastrophe with high casualties
US President Donald Trump intensified his long-running criticism of NATO and European allies during a new round of remarks, claiming the United States has poured "trillions and trillions of dollars" into the alliance while receiving "absolutely nothing in return." His comments come amid a tense World Economic Forum (WEF) backdrop, where Trump has repeatedly argued that Washington bears a disproportionate financial and military burden.
His framing echoes earlier statements in Davos, where he accused NATO members of relying heavily on US military power while failing to contribute adequately to their own defense. Trump also linked his critique of NATO to ongoing Western support for Ukraine, saying European leaders now want US assistance even as the costs continue to mount.
He insisted that while American support would continue, the war has become an unsustainable humanitarian catastrophe.
ALSO READ: Trump Scorns Europe In Hour-Long Davos Speech, Convinced Of US Hegemony
Trump Calls Ukraine War A 'Bloodbath'
Reiterating themes that appeared in multiple discussions at Davos, Trump described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as "a bloodbath" - a point consistent with earlier remarks where he cited heavy monthly casualties and lamented the scale of human loss.
Trump claimed that 31,000 soldiers died last month, with 27,000, 28,000, and 25,000 deaths in the preceding months. He emphasised the human tragedy, saying parents are proud to see their children serve, only to receive a devastating call weeks later.
"These are young souls, young people. They go to war and their parents are so proud. Two weeks later they get a call, 'your son's head has been blown off.' I want to stop it. It's a horrible war - the worst since World War 2."
Although casualty estimates from Kyiv and Moscow differ significantly from each other and are typically not disclosed in detailed monthly figures, Trump used these numbers to underscore his argument that the conflict has spiraled into needless mass death.
Says Both Putin, Zelenskyy Want A Deal
Trump said he is in discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asserting that both leaders "want to make a deal" and that he is meeting Zelenskyy today to push for an agreement that ends the war.
His remarks align with his broader Davos messaging that the conflict "should have never started" and that his goal is to bring the fighting to an end. Earlier this week, he argued that the United States has spent enormous amounts of money on Ukraine with limited appreciation from Europe, a sentiment he reiterated at Davos 2026.
'Helping Europe, NATO'... Until Iceland (Greenland)?
Trump claimed his efforts to mediate the war and reshape global security arrangements were helping Europe and NATO, saying allies had praised him until recently.
"Until about the last two days, when I told them about Iceland (Greenland), they loved me. They called me daddy! A very smart man said 'he's our daddy.' I went from running it to a terrible human being."
The reference to Greenland follows a series of provocative comments Trump has made in Davos regarding US intervention and alliance obligations. His criticism of NATO members - especially claims that the US "gets so little in return" has mirrored earlier statements to European leaders that Washington is unfairly burdened.
ALSO READ: Davos 2026: Donald Trump Says Canada 'Lives Because Of USA' In Rebuke To Mark Carney
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