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Nato summit: Obama expects UK to continue Europe security role Nato summit: Obama expects UK to continue Europe security role
(35 minutes later)
The UK will remain a major contributor to European security, Barack Obama has said, as Nato and EU nations signed a deal focusing on the perceived threat from Russia.The UK will remain a major contributor to European security, Barack Obama has said, as Nato and EU nations signed a deal focusing on the perceived threat from Russia.
Mr Obama added he hoped for an "orderly" UK transition from the EU.Mr Obama added he hoped for an "orderly" UK transition from the EU.
However, he expressed concern over the state of democracy in Poland, where the government is locked in a dispute with the top court. UK Prime Minister David Cameron insisted that the UK would not "turn its back" on European defence following the Brexit vote.
Nato is sending four battalions to the region with troops from four nations.Nato is sending four battalions to the region with troops from four nations.
The agreement signed in Warsaw includes 1,000 extra US troops to be sent to Poland to reinforce Nato's eastern flank.The agreement signed in Warsaw includes 1,000 extra US troops to be sent to Poland to reinforce Nato's eastern flank.
Profile: Nato
"I have no doubt that the UK will remain one of Nato's most capable members," Mr Obama told the Financial Times.
"Everybody has an interest in minimising any disruptions as the UK and the EU forge a new relationship," he added.
Nato looks east - by BBC defence correspondent Jonathan MarcusNato looks east - by BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus
Tensions between the Atlantic alliance and Moscow are growing again. Russia's seizure of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and the involvement of its troops in the fighting in eastern Ukraine has, in Nato's view, "torn up the rule-book" for the way security matters are dealt with in the post-Cold War world.Tensions between the Atlantic alliance and Moscow are growing again. Russia's seizure of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and the involvement of its troops in the fighting in eastern Ukraine has, in Nato's view, "torn up the rule-book" for the way security matters are dealt with in the post-Cold War world.
Read more: Nato looks east (and south)Read more: Nato looks east (and south)
Russian media unhappy with Nato summit
UK troops head for Poland and EstoniaUK troops head for Poland and Estonia
'Hybrid threats''Hybrid threats'
The EU and Nato joint declaration pledges to accelerate co-operation in the face of so-called "hybrid threats", which include propaganda and psychological campaigns, cyber-attacks, and use of political, economic and energy pressure.The EU and Nato joint declaration pledges to accelerate co-operation in the face of so-called "hybrid threats", which include propaganda and psychological campaigns, cyber-attacks, and use of political, economic and energy pressure.
Nato members made the decision after Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.Nato members made the decision after Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
Writing in the Financial Times, President Obama said Nato and the EU should "deepen security co-operation" and agree that sanctions on Russia should remain in place until the Kremlin fully implemented the Minsk agreement on halting the fighting in eastern Ukraine.
"Nato does not seek confrontation," its chief Jens Stoltenberg said, vowing continued dialogue with Russia. "We don't want a new Cold War. The Cold War is history and it should remain history.""Nato does not seek confrontation," its chief Jens Stoltenberg said, vowing continued dialogue with Russia. "We don't want a new Cold War. The Cold War is history and it should remain history."
However, Russia's ambassador to Nato, Alexander Grushko, warned of a risk of a "spiral of confrontation", by building a "new Iron Curtain". He told the BBC that the decision would lead to "military consequences".However, Russia's ambassador to Nato, Alexander Grushko, warned of a risk of a "spiral of confrontation", by building a "new Iron Curtain". He told the BBC that the decision would lead to "military consequences".
Mr Stoltenberg added that the deal would also help contain the massive influx of migrants to Europe.
President of the European Council Donald Tusk said the EU and Nato sometimes appeared to be on "two different planets" and it made sense to work more closely together.
"At stake is real life," he said. "Our critical infrastructure could be attacked, our banking system could be hacked or our citizens could be exposed to disinformation campaigns via social networks."
Under the deal four multinational battalions will be stationed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland made up of some 3,000 troops from the UK, US, Germany and Canada.Under the deal four multinational battalions will be stationed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland made up of some 3,000 troops from the UK, US, Germany and Canada.
A 500-strong UK battalion will be deployed to Estonia and 150 UK troops will be based in Poland.A 500-strong UK battalion will be deployed to Estonia and 150 UK troops will be based in Poland.
In 2017, the UK will also take over the running of a standby Nato force, with 3,000 troops based in the UK and Germany.In 2017, the UK will also take over the running of a standby Nato force, with 3,000 troops based in the UK and Germany.
Mr Cameron said the UK was the second-largest contributor to Nato and accounted for a quarter of all European defence spending.
Poland rebukedPoland rebuked
As the deal was announced, Mr Obama also expressed concern about the state of democracy in Poland, where the new right-wing government is locked in a dispute with the country's top court and has taken steps to exercise direct control over state media. As the deal was announced, Mr Obama also expressed concern about the state of democracy in Poland, where the right-wing government is locked in a dispute with the country's top court and has taken steps to exercise direct control over state media.
Mr Obama said he had made his concerns clear to Polish President Andrzej Duda in a one-on-one meeting.Mr Obama said he had made his concerns clear to Polish President Andrzej Duda in a one-on-one meeting.
The dispute concerns appointments to the constitutional court, as well as the rules governing how it functions. Poland's new leaders say they are trying to correct an imbalance because appointments by the previous centrist government dominate the court.The dispute concerns appointments to the constitutional court, as well as the rules governing how it functions. Poland's new leaders say they are trying to correct an imbalance because appointments by the previous centrist government dominate the court.
The move has led to street protests and the EU has launched an investigation into whether the Polish government is violating the rule of law.The move has led to street protests and the EU has launched an investigation into whether the Polish government is violating the rule of law.