Trump wants to strip some NATO countries of Article 5 rights - The Telegraph

US President Donald Trump is considering radical changes to the NATO structure to punish countries that do not meet his demands on defence funding. According to The Telegraph, citing sources, Trump wants to restrict allies in decision-making and even strip them of their right to invoke the alliance's fifth article if they do not increase defence spending to 5% of GDP.

According to the publication, the US president is also once again discussing the possibility of withdrawing US troops from Germany, a move he has been considering since returning to office. Sources explained to reporters, "Our frustration with the Europeans is very real. Any country that doesn't pay 5 per cent should not be allowed to vote on future NATO spending."

Under Trump's proposals, nations that fail to meet the new target could be barred from decisions on alliance expansion, joint missions and the application of Article 5 on mutual defence.

You shouldn't be able to vote to allocate funds for future needs if you don't pay up," the source emphasised.

NATO officials confirmed to The Telegraph that the US formal proposals have not yet been presented at the headquarters in Brussels. However, in discussion forums, the US has already been pushing for a "pay to participate" model.

Today, all alliance members spend at least 2% of GDP on defence, and Trump's 5% target will be a key issue at a summit in Ankara later this year, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.