NATO Summit Live Updates: Trump Calls for Alliance to "Forgo" Military Spending



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When he visited the new NATO headquarters building last year, before it was fully opened, Mr. Trump did not hide his disgust for the structure, which he considered extravagant and vulnerable to bombing.

at the time, he skipped the part of his prepared remarks that called him to reaffirm Article 5, the commitment of all member nations to mutual defense. He endorsed the principle, albeit reluctantly.

When Mr. Trump returns this year, he will enter the building after passing two monuments intended to highlight the history of NATO – a piece of the Berlin Wall and a piece of World Trade Center. After the attack of the mall in 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the only time in its history.

On the exterior of the building are the words "WE ARE ALLIES" glittering in yellow and white letters of two feet on fences. famous NATO sculpture of a compass flanked by flags of the 29 members. NATO intends to offer the Republic of North Macedonia the name of 30th member, once the change has been ratified by the parliaments of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Macedonia (19659005). The new building is airy and light, with highly modernized communication equipment, although the offices are smaller than in the old building opposite. The main meeting room, where the 29 leaders will meet, with many assistants behind them, is large and even elegant, with wooden walls and various video screens for classified lectures.

But during a recent visit, allowed to enter room but not to take pictures, it seemed to me that the only thing that was missing was Peter Sellers in the movie "Dr. Strangelove." – Steven Erlanger

A demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine

NATO leaders to meet their Ukrainian counterparts on Thursday to express their solidarity with Kiev, facing the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and continued military support from Moscow to the rebels. Eastern Ukraine

The meeting is a pointed reminder from the West of the principle that one nation must not violate the territorial integrity of another, prior to Mr. Trump's meeting with Mr. Putin in Finland. Discussions on resolving the dispute in Ukraine have for the most part stagnated and Western diplomats are not expecting significant progress on the issue at the Helsinki summit.

NATO leaders also meet on Thursday the leaders of Georgia. Tbilisi against Russia, which has occupied parts of Georgia since 2008.

Ukraine and Georgia will be invited to discuss their progress in security and defense and their cooperation with the country. NATO. In 2008, at a summit in Bucharest, NATO promised Ukraine and Georgia to join the alliance, inflaming Mr Putin. These plans have been put on hold. – Steven Erlanger

After NATO: The Queen, Theresa May and Vladimir Putin

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