In a sharp rebuke to NATO allies, President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that the United States would not defend NATO countries that fail to meet their defense spending obligations. Speaking during a press conference, Trump criticized several NATO members for not contributing enough to the alliance’s defense budget, stressing that the U.S. should not be expected to bear the brunt of NATO’s financial responsibilities.

Trump reiterated previous warnings to NATO members, accusing them of being delinquent in their payments and saying that he had long called for increased contributions. “If they don’t pay their fair share, the United States will not defend them,” Trump declared, drawing a line in the sand over the financial commitments required of the alliance’s members. The president’s remarks come as NATO faces growing challenges on multiple fronts, with heightened tensions in Eastern Europe and concerns over global security.

NATO’s financial commitments have been a point of contention for years, with Trump being one of the most vocal critics of countries that fail to meet the alliance’s target of spending 2% of GDP on defense. Trump’s ultimatum raises significant questions about the future of NATO and the U.S.’s role in defending its European allies. As the alliance grapples with issues of defense spending, member nations are under pressure to demonstrate their commitment to the collective security of the region.