NATO, Russia, Merkel, Brexit: Trump makes broadside comments to European media

NATO is "obsolete", Germany's Angela Merkel made a "catastrophic mistake" on refugees, Brexit will be "great" and the US could cut a deal with Russia, according to US President-elect Donald Trump.

Five days before his inauguration as the 45th President of the United States, Trump revealed a torrent of controversial comments about European allies in interviews with British newspaper The Times and Germany's Bild.

He extended a hand to Russia, which has been hit by a string of sanctions under his predecessor Barack Obama over Moscow's involvement in Ukraine, the Syrian war and for alleged cyber attacks to influence the US election.

"Let's see if we can make some good deals with Russia," Trump said in remarks carried by The Times.

The US President-elect suggested a deal in which nuclear arsenals would be reduced and sanctions against Moscow would be eased, but gave no details.

"Russia's hurting very badly right now because of sanctions, but I think something can happen that a lot of people are gonna benefit," Trump said, The President-elect has previously expressed admiration for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Washington's European allies imposed sanctions against Russia over Ukraine in 2014. Those measures were renewed on 19 December.

Trump also said he believed the NATO military alliance is obsolete and needs reform.

"I said a long time ago that NATO had problems," Trump told The Times of London and Bild, Germany's biggest-selling daily. "Number one, it was obsolete, because it was designed many, many years ago," he said. "Number two, the countries aren’t paying what they’re supposed to pay."

Spending has been a common source of friction within the 28-nation alliance over recent years, according to AFP news agency. The core military contributor to the alliance is the United States, which accounts for about 70% of spending.

In 2014, stung into action by Russia's intervention in Ukraine, upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa, NATO leaders agreed to reverse years of defence cuts and devote the equivalent of two percent of economic output to defence.

"The countries aren’t paying their fair share so we’re supposed to protect countries," Trump said in Sunday's interview. "There's five countries that are paying what they’re supposed to. Five. It's not much."

In other remarks, Trump said Brexit "is going to end up as a great thing" and said he backed a trade deal with post-EU Britain, which would be "good for both sides.”

The president-elect promised to draw up a trade deal with the UK “quickly” after Brexit and said he could understand why voters chose to leave in last year’s referendum. “You look at the European Union and it’s Germany. Basically a vehicle for Germany. That’s why I thought the UK was so smart in getting out,” he told former Tory leadership contender Michael Gove.

"We’re gonna work very hard to get it done quickly and done properly," said Trump, confirming he will meet British Prime Minister Theresa May soon after his inauguration on 20 January.

"Other countries will leave" the European Union in future, Trump added.

Trump blamed the decision of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, to welcome refugees fleeing war in the Middle East, for jeopardising the stability of Europe.

"If they hadn't been forced to take in all of the refugees, so many, with all the problems that it... entails, I think that you wouldn't have a Brexit. This was the final straw that broke the camel’s back," he said.

Trump also criticised Merkel for letting Germany admit undocumented migrants enter the country, insinuating that this posed a security risk.

"I think she made one very catastrophic mistake and that was taking all of these illegals, you know taking all of the people from wherever they come from. And nobody even knows where they come from," Trump said, adding he had "great respect" for the chancellor.