NATO leader says Trump puts allies at risks by saying Russia can 'do whatever the hell they want’

The NATO leader warned Sunday that Donald Trump was putting the safety of U.S. troops and their allies at risk after the Republican presidential front-runner said Russia should be able to do "whatever the hell they want" to alliance members who don't meet their defense spending targets.

Trump's remarks caused deep concern in Poland, a country in central Europe that has been under Russian control more often than not since the end of the 18th century. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said "no election campaign is an excuse for playing with the security of the alliance."

Speaking Saturday at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, Trump recalled how as president he told an unidentified NATO member that he would "encourage" Russia to do as it wishes in cases of NATO allies who are "delinquent."

"'You didn't pay? You're delinquent?'" Trump recounted saying. "'No I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.'"

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the 31 allies are committed to defending each other.

"NATO remains ready and able to defend all allies. Any attack on NATO will be met with a united and forceful response," Stoltenberg said. "Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the U.S., and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk."

Stoltenberg added in his statement that he expects that, "regardless of who wins the presidential election, the U.S. will remain a strong and committed NATO ally."

The German government did not officially comment on Trump's remarks, but the country's foreign office published a statement Sunday morning pointing out NATO's