MILITARY/NATO/RUSSIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Mr. Trump called on other NATO members to more than double their military spending in talks on Wednesday [7-11-18], the White House said, although he and other leaders signed a statement that largely reiterates existing principles and commitments…Still, along with 28 other heads of state, Mr. Trump signed the 23-page NATO declaration, which reflects months of negotiation. That contrasts with Mr. Trump’s departure last month from the Group of 7 summit meeting, when he refused to sign onto the usual carefully crafted communiqué. NATO members agreed in 2014 to spend at least 2 percent of gross domestic product on their militaries by 2024. Mr. Trump has repeatedly castigated other countries for spending less, even though the deadline is six years away, but the declaration reaffirmed commitment to that target. The 79-point joint statement also censured Russia’s actions in Ukraine in the bluntest terms: ‘We strongly condemn Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea, which we do not and will not recognize.’ Just over a week ago, the president told reporters on Air Force One that he was considering supporting Russia’s claim to Crimea, which it seized in 2014.”
–The New York Times, “NATO Summit Live Updates: Trump Pushes Allies to Increase Spending,” The New York Times online, July 11, 2018