Stinging attack by former Nato secretary general says Jeremy Corbyn is playing into Vladimir Putin’s hands by refusing to say he would defend a Nato ally if Russia invaded them
Labour leader accused of betraying his party's fundamental principles of internationalism and solidarity
JEREMY Corbyn’s refusal to say he would defend an ally if Russia invaded them is playing into Vladimir Putin’s hands, according to a stinging attack from a former Nato secretary general.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen accused the Labour leader of betraying his party's fundamental principles of internationalism and solidarity by failing to commit to defending Britain's allies.
And he warned that the prospect of him becoming Prime Minister and fellow Nato critic Donald Trump becoming President would "weaken the whole Western civilisation".
His comments come after Mr Corbyn repeatedly refused to say if he would uphold the principle of "collective defence" - where an attack on one ally is deemed an attack on all - at a Labour leadership hustings.
He was branded unfit to leave by furious defence chiefs, with Labour peer Lord West – the ex-commander-in-chief of the Royal Navy – raging that his stance would put millions of people at risk.
Mr Rasmussen told BBC's Newsnight: "I think his refusal to clearly state that as a possible prime minster of the UK, he would not be sure that he would defend Nato allies has really, really undermined the credibility of Nato.
"And if he were to carry out what he has said it would tempt Mr Putin to aggression to test the resolve of Nato."
RELATED STORIES:
The former Nato chief said it is unlikely the Russian president would launch an open attack, but such comments could encourage him to engage in sinister "hybrid warfare" tactics like those seen in the annexation of the Crimea.
And he warned that Mr Corbyn's message "that Nato should give up and go home, go away" were almost exactly the same words uttered by Mr Putin.
He added: "So there is no doubt that if Mr Corbyn were to be elected prime minster of the UK there will be a big, big celebration in the Kremlin. It would really play into the hands of Mr Putin."
He also accused Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump of emboldening Mr Putin by saying he could abandon Nato allies which had not contributed enough financially to the alliance.
Mr Rasmussen said: "So if, in a hypothetical situation, you would have a President Trump and a Prime Minister Corbyn of the UK, it would significantly weaken Nato, I would say it would weaken the whole Western civilisation."