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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| European leaders to urge Trump to keep Russia sanctions | European leaders to urge Trump to keep Russia sanctions |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Prime Minister Theresa May and other European leaders are set to warn US President-elect Donald Trump against weakening sanctions on Russia. | Prime Minister Theresa May and other European leaders are set to warn US President-elect Donald Trump against weakening sanctions on Russia. |
| Mrs May will hold talks with outgoing US President Barack Obama on the threat of so-called Islamic State, as well as tackling Moscow over Ukraine. | Mrs May will hold talks with outgoing US President Barack Obama on the threat of so-called Islamic State, as well as tackling Moscow over Ukraine. |
| Downing Street said it hoped to secure an agreement to maintain the sanctions. | Downing Street said it hoped to secure an agreement to maintain the sanctions. |
| It comes as Mr Trump has criticised Nato and spoken of his hopes of warmer relations between the US and Russia. | It comes as Mr Trump has criticised Nato and spoken of his hopes of warmer relations between the US and Russia. |
| UK officials said Mrs May would also discuss Brexit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. | |
| It comes as German finance minister, Wolfgang Schauble, told the Financial Times the UK may have to continue paying into EU budgets for more than a decade after it leaves the union. | It comes as German finance minister, Wolfgang Schauble, told the Financial Times the UK may have to continue paying into EU budgets for more than a decade after it leaves the union. |
| He said Britain will "certainly have to fulfil its commitments" to the EU until its departure - and possibly after. | He said Britain will "certainly have to fulfil its commitments" to the EU until its departure - and possibly after. |
| He added: "Possibly there will be some commitments that last beyond the exit … even, in part, to 2030." | He added: "Possibly there will be some commitments that last beyond the exit … even, in part, to 2030." |
| Mr Obama - who is on a farewell trip to Europe at the end of his two terms as US president - held a joint press conference with Chancellor Merkel on Thursday ahead of the meeting in Berlin on Friday. | Mr Obama - who is on a farewell trip to Europe at the end of his two terms as US president - held a joint press conference with Chancellor Merkel on Thursday ahead of the meeting in Berlin on Friday. |
| French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy will also be at the meeting in the German capital. | French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy will also be at the meeting in the German capital. |
| The European leaders are expected to warn President-elect Mr Trump that now is not the moment to weaken sanctions against Russia, which were imposed in 2014 over the conflict in Ukraine. | |
| BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale said the Berlin summit will be the first chance for Europe's key leaders to discuss the impact of Mr Trump's victory in the US face-to-face and their aim would be to establish a united front over Russia. | |
| The summit will also consider what more can be done to tackle the threat from IS - also known as Daesh - militants dispersing around the Middle East and northern Africa. | The summit will also consider what more can be done to tackle the threat from IS - also known as Daesh - militants dispersing around the Middle East and northern Africa. |
| The leaders are likely to warn against any relaxation on the Syrian government and what officials call "its influencers". | The leaders are likely to warn against any relaxation on the Syrian government and what officials call "its influencers". |
| 'Increasingly assertive' | 'Increasingly assertive' |
| A Downing Street spokesman said: "As we close down Daesh's areas of operation in one part of the world we need to be mindful of the fact that they may regroup in other parts and how we set about tackling that. | A Downing Street spokesman said: "As we close down Daesh's areas of operation in one part of the world we need to be mindful of the fact that they may regroup in other parts and how we set about tackling that. |
| "Obviously the issue of Daesh fighters who've been in either Syria or Iraq returning to Europe is a matter of great concern." | "Obviously the issue of Daesh fighters who've been in either Syria or Iraq returning to Europe is a matter of great concern." |
| The leaders are also likely to discuss Russia's "increasingly assertive" position in eastern Europe. | The leaders are also likely to discuss Russia's "increasingly assertive" position in eastern Europe. |
| During his press conference with Chancellor Merkel on Thursday, Mr Obama urged his successor to stand up to Russia if it deviated from US "values and international norms". | During his press conference with Chancellor Merkel on Thursday, Mr Obama urged his successor to stand up to Russia if it deviated from US "values and international norms". |
| During his US presidential election campaign, Mr Trump described Western military alliance Nato as obsolete and suggested that the US would think twice about coming to the aid of any Nato ally under attack if it had not paid its dues. | During his US presidential election campaign, Mr Trump described Western military alliance Nato as obsolete and suggested that the US would think twice about coming to the aid of any Nato ally under attack if it had not paid its dues. |
| Asked about the US commitment to Nato, the Downing Street spokesman said: "We are very clear on the importance of Nato as a cornerstone of European defence. We remain committed to it and our partners remain committed to it as well." | Asked about the US commitment to Nato, the Downing Street spokesman said: "We are very clear on the importance of Nato as a cornerstone of European defence. We remain committed to it and our partners remain committed to it as well." |