France, Feb. 12 -- White House hopeful Donald Trump's remark on Saturday that he would "encourage" Russia to attack members of NATO who had not met their financial obligations has drawn a fierce reaction from the EU.

Trump ignited a political firestorm and sent a chill through the United States' European allies on Saturday when he said he would "encourage" Russia to attack any NATO country that does not meet financial obligations.

"Let's be serious. NATO cannot be an a la carte military alliance, it cannot be a military alliance that works depending on the humour of the president of the US" day to day, said Josep Borrell, the EU'sHigh Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said.

"It exists or it does not exists," he sa...