US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has predicted that Donald Trump will receive a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
Speaking at the CPAC Conference, Waltz said: "Trump is going to end the war in Europe, he is going to end the wars in the Middle East, he is going to reinvest in the United States in our own hemisphere."
"By the end of this all, we're going to have the Nobel Peace Prize sitting next to the name of Donald Trump," he declared.
Trump's diplomatic engagement with European leaders is set to intensify, with French President Macron scheduled to visit on Monday and the British Prime Minister due next Thursday.
Waltz expects Trump's efforts to be rewarded with a Nobel Peace Prize
CPAC / REUTERS
"President Trump talked to Macron twice last week and he's coming here Monday," Waltz confirmed at CPAC.
The National Security Adviser also revealed ongoing dialogue with NATO leadership, stating: "The NATO Secretary General and I just spoke."
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Mike Waltz spoke at CPAC
CPAC
"The narrative in the media is, we're not consulting with our allies in Europe," Waltz said, directly challenging criticism of Trump's diplomatic approach.
Waltz delivered a stark message to NATO allies regarding defence spending commitments.
"As of now, a third of our NATO allies are still not contributing the minimum, which is two per cent GDP, which they committed to 10 years ago. That's unacceptable," he stated.
The National Security Adviser emphasised that increased European defence spending aligns with Trump's vision: "If the Europeans want to take a bigger role in their own security, that falls in line with America First principles."
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump attend a meeting in 2019Reuters"He's rattled their cage a bit and they are coming to the table with more," Waltz added.
Trump's recent comments on Russia-Ukraine negotiations have sparked controversy, with the former president stating Russia "has the cards" in peace talks.
A planned news conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky and Trump's Ukraine envoy was abruptly cancelled amid rising tensions.
Trump has referred to Zelensky as a "modestly successful comedian" and "dictator," whilst the Ukrainian leader responded that Trump "lives in a disinformation space."
Meanwhile, Russian President Putin expressed interest in meeting Trump, stating he "would be glad to meet Donald."
Waltz defended Trump's approach to European diplomacy, emphasising the administration's focus on "peace through strength."
"We have an obligation to the American taxpayer to recoup the hundreds of millions of dollars that have been invested in this war," Waltz stated at CPAC.
He criticised current European contributions, noting: "Europe's contributions are in the form of loans and they are often paid back by the interest on Russian assets that have been frozen. So Europe gets paid back and the American people don't?"
