"I’m disappointed that the President failed to reaffirm America’s commitment to Article 5," the release stated. "President Trump’s failure to stand firmly behind that pledge is certain to worry our allies and embolden Vladimir Putin and others who want to see the alliance falter."
Engel also noted that Trump should not have used his speech to embarrass NATO allies by discussing how they have not met defense spending goals.
Trump said during his speech in Brussels on Thursday that 23 or 28 NATO members have chronically underpaid by failing to spend the suggested 2 percent of GDP on defense.
NATO guidelines recommend member nations spend at least 2 percent of their GDP on defense, but their contributions are ultimately assessed on their own capabilities. Neither the alliance nor member nations pay the United States.
