Remarks by Trump'risk US and EU soldiers' lives'

The Nato chief, Jens Stoltenberg, said any attack on the western military alliance would be met with a "united and forceful response" after Donald Trump invited Russia to attack member countries that he perceived as not meeting their financial obligations.

- Angelique Chrisafis and Lili Bayer 

Stoltenberg said in a statement: "Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk. I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the US will remain a strong and committed Nato ally"

He said Nato remained "ready and able to defend all allies".

Trump told a campaign rally in South Carolina last Saturday night that he would "encourage" Russia to attack any of the US's Nato allies that he felt were not paying their fair share.

The White House described the remarks as "appalling and unhinged".

The former president has voiced misgivings about aid to Ukraine and the existence of Nato, the 31-nation alliance that the US has committed to defending when necessary.