A top former US diplomat has hit back at Donald Trump amid controversial claims surrounding Nato.
Former US Senior Defence Official and Attaché to Russia Peter Zwack called the former President's comments a "meteor bomb."
Trump, appearing to recount a meeting with NATO leaders told a political rally, said: "One of the presidents of a big country stood up, said: 'Well sir if we don't pay, and we're attacked by Russia - will you protect us?'
"I said: 'you didn't pay? You're delinquent?' He said: 'Yes, let's say that happened.' No I would not protect you, in fact I would encourage them to do whatever they want. You gotta pay."
Peter Zwack has slammed Trump's comments
GB News/Reuters
When asked if he thought President Trump's comments were wrong, Zwack said: "Totally. In the way he said it. He can have the criticism, but how he said it and to just willy-nilly just throw a meteor bomb into the cesspool with the Russians was completely destructive.
"I mean, what is an alliance first and foremost. It's a grouping of members, nations and the base piece of it is trust and reliability. That's what its about.
"Anything that shakes trust and reliability on something so complex and something so existential potentially... that's irresponsible.
"Yes, it had been at work for some time. Our allies need to step up and they have been doing that but how it was said and then making Putin part of that discussion was terribly wrong."
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Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump
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The comments were met with backlash, both domestically and on a global scale.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, asked about Trump's comments, said: "Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged - and it endangers American national security, global stability and our economy at home."
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: "Well, I'm a very strong supporter of NATO. It is what helps to keep us safe.
"And that is so essential, in this world where we've seen Putin's terrible illegal invasion of Ukraine and actually NATO this year has got stronger with Sweden and Finland joining. Of course, we want all countries like us to spend two per cent, but I think what was said was not a sensible approach."
Dutch defence minister Kajsa Ollongren said: "Quite frankly, I think this is exactly what Putin loves to hear.
"Our strength is our unity. And if we're not united, it makes us weaker. And we know that that is what Putin is looking for."
